Gas prices leaped nearly 48 cents in the past month in  Santa Rosa, but they might be taking a bit of a breather — for now.

AAA spokesman Matt Skryja said while pressures for higher prices remain, there may be some relief at hand. He noted that worries over a slowing economy in China and easing of tensions with Iran in recent days have cut oil prices a bit.

He said it’s “way too early to talk about” predictions that gas prices will hit $5 a gallon this summer. He said he expects a traditional rise in prices as refineries switch over to making more expensive warm-weather gas and summer vacations start but nothing dramatic barring some huge impact on the market, such as another Mideast crisis.

On Thursday, AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report put Santa Rosa’s average price for regular at $4.34 a gallon, up slightly from $4.328 a week ago. A month ago, it was $3.863 and a year ago at $3.965.

The highest average gas price yet for Santa Rosa was $4.55 on June 19, 2008.

On Thursday, the state’s average was$4.362, with AAA reporting Santa Barbara was the highest at $4.446 and Yuba City the lowest at $4.245. On Tuesday, as part of a monthly survey, AAA said Ukiah and Marysville were tied at $4.25 for the cheapest gas in the state.

Hawaii had the highest U.S. average Thursday at $4.445, with Hilo reporting an average of $4.59, while Wyoming was the cheapest at $3.377, with Casper reporting $3.215.

—————–

Follow the Road Warrior on Twitter via @PDRoadWarrior