Gas prices have risen an average of 4.6 cents per gallon in the Pittsburgh area to $2.34 per gallon, according to a survey of 731 local gas outlets.

By comparison, gas rose 3.7 cents to $2.16 per gallon nationally.

A senior petroleum analyst for Gas Buddy, which conducted the survey, attributed the increase to an $8 per barrel jump to $48 in the price of crude oil since the beginning of the month, but he expects the increases will taper off as we approach Labor Day.

Prices still are the lowest in at least five years for this date, down 37.9 cents per gallon from a year ago and 10.4 cents lower than a month ago. Gas is also a full $1.03 per gallon cheaper than it was in 2012.

First Published: August 22, 2016, 1:37 p.m.