WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Prices at the pump are continuing to spike as we near the spring.

AAA reports that the average gallon of gas in Whatcom County has risen by nearly 60 cents over the past month. It currently sits at $4.28 per gallon, which is still among the cheapest counties in western Washington.

GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan says that troubles down south are partially behind the jump in prices.

“Refineries in California are just getting a little bit tired of the regulatory environment making it more difficult for them operate and opting to just leave the state entirely,” De Hann says. “Unfortunately, that’s put a big hole in the amount of refining capacity available and that’s impacting really not only just California, but the entire West Coast.”

De Haan adds that the change to summer gasoline coupled with rising demand during the warmer weather will hike prices even more in the coming weeks.

Washington remains the third-most expensive state in the country for gas, sitting nearly $1.40 over the national average.