* Front month remains above recent 3-month low * Colder weather set to return by next week * Nuclear outages running well above normal levels * Coming Up: EIA natgas storage data Thursday By Eileen Houlihan NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas futures edged lower early on Thursday, despite expectations for a large weekly inventory withdrawal and colder weather forecast to move back into consuming regions of the nation by next week. Most traders said with winter winding down and storage still bloated, more downside was expected. "Revised weather forecasts for colder weather than previously forecast next week in the West and Central U.S. and expectations of an above-average storage withdrawal are providing support, but with slightly more than a month remaining in the winter's heating season and more than ample supplies in storage, prices are likely to come under increasing pressure," said Addison Armstrong, senior director of market research at Tradition Energy. But others noted above-normal nuclear power plant outages that could help limit losses. Most traders and analysts expect weekly data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration to show a draw of about 162 billion cubic feet when it is released at 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT), a Reuters poll showed. Stocks fell an adjusted 113 bcf in the same week last year, and on average over the past five years have fallen 154 bcf that week. As of 9:59 a.m. EST (1459 GMT), front-month March natural gas futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange were at $3.282 per million British thermal units, down 2.4 cents, or less than 1 percent. The front month contract hit a 6-1/2 week high of $3.645 in late January after touching more than a three-month low of $3.05 in early January. In the cash market, gas for Friday delivery at the NYMEX benchmark Henry Hub in Louisiana was heard early up 1 cent at $3.30 on volume near 408 million cubic feet. But early deals eased to about 1 cent under the front month, from deals done late Wednesday at a 2-cent premium. Gas on the Transco pipeline at the New York citygate was heard early down nearly $1 at $5.15 on volume near 235 mmcf. Forecaster MDA Weather Services called for warm conditions early but cold weather late in the Midwest in its one- to five-day outlook. Forecaster MDA Weather Services called for a "chilly" weekend in the eastern U.S. in its one to five-day outlook. In its six to 10-day forecast, as well as the latest National Weather Service six to 10-day forecast issued on Wednesday, both called for normal or below-normal temperatures for most of the nation. Nuclear outages totaled 14,100 megawatts, or 14 percent of U.S. capacity, up from 13,200 MW out on Wednesday, 12,200 MW out a year ago and a five-year average outage rate of about 8,900 MW. ANOTHER BELOW AVERAGE STORAGE DRAW Last week's EIA storage report showed total domestic inventories fell the prior week by 118 bcf to 2.684 trillion cubic feet. Most traders viewed the report as bearish, noting the draw came in well below Reuters poll estimates for a 132 bcf drop. While stocks are now 8 percent below last year's record levels, they are 15 percent above the five-year average level for this time of year. If withdrawals for the rest of winter match the five-year average, stocks will end March at 2.079 tcf, about 20 percent above normal, but 16 percent below last year, when inventories finished a very mild heating season at a record high 2.48 tcf. DRILLING DECLINES, PRODUCTION FAILS TO SLOW Baker Hughes data last week showed the gas-directed drilling rig count fell for the fourth time in five weeks, dropping by three to 425. But while the gas rig count is hovering not far above the 13-1/2-year low of 413 hit three months ago, production has shown no significant sign of slowing. Producers have curbed dry gas drilling but the associated gas produced by more profitable liquids-rich wells has kept gas flowing at or near a record pace.

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