The downward trend in gas prices has hit a plateau in the last week, AAA officials said Monday.

AAA Alabama Spokesperson Clay Ingram said that the state average on Monday was $1.99 per gallon.

Locally gas prices range from $2.01 per gallon to $1.95 per gallon.

“It has hit a plateau over the past week or so, but it is temporary,” he said. “The hurricane combined with regular refinery maintenance has caused our decline to temporarily stall, but it should resume within a week or so.”

A number of refineries were working on maintenance projects, which also coincided with companies’ switchovers to manufacturing cheaper winter blend fuel.

AAA says that refineries normally conduct maintenance in the fall and spring when the demand is lower.

Maintenance is expected to wrap but by December.

Additionally, Hurricane Joaquin hit category 4 strength last week and brought drizzling rains and flooding to the east coast this weekend, especially South Carolina, where 2 feet of rain fell in some areas.

The national average is $2.29 per gallon.

Ingram said he expects prices will continue to decline throughout the year.