Why do hurricanes change directions?

[RandFan]

When hurricanes strike the coast of South East USA they suddenly veer from West-North West to North North-East. Why is that? And are the really moving until then or is the earth simply turning underneath them?

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

When hurricanes strike the coast of South East USA they suddenly veer from West-North West to North North-East. Why is that? And are the really moving until then or is the earth simply turning underneath them?

Warmer ocean currents? That's just a guess.

 

[BillC]

I would guess that the system is seeking the point of 'least stress', in the same way that a lightning strike wanders.

 

[JSFolk]

I think this has something to do with it....

But what, I couldn't tell you.

Prevailling easterlies (trade winds) in the southern latitudes, prevailing westerlies over CONUS.

 

[El_Spectre]

When hurricanes strike the coast of South East USA they suddenly veer from West-North West to North North-East. Why is that? And are the really moving until then or is the earth simply turning underneath them?

Hurricanes are damn big storms, but they're still just storms. As such, they are subject to the same factors (water/air currents, topography, high/low pressure) as all other storms *.

The earth turning has a lot to do with HOW hurricanes form, but I believe that at this point, planetary rotation has relatively little impact.

* Except, of course the super-storms in whack-job Art Bell's "Day After Tomorrow", which GAIN strength over land...

 

[El_Spectre]

I think this has something to do with it....

But what, I couldn't tell you.

Prevailling easterlies (trade winds) in the southern latitudes, prevailing westerlies over CONUS.

Thousand mile wide rubber bands are orbiting the planet? Who knew?

 

[hgc]

Next question: Why did the chicken cross the road?

 

[Mercutio]

I'm really surprised no one has posted the two real reasons.

1) Because Pat Robertson led prayers to turn the hurricane

2) A butterfly in China flapped its wings about a month ago