Hurricane newbie question.

[smashmode]

Question:

How come it showed earlier that Katrina would go west..then shoot straight up and back into florida.

What has changed in the past 6-12 hours..where now..Katrina is not going to curve up..and just gradually go wnw?

I am trying to understand..does it have to do with..a big ol ridge of high pressure that was sitting over LA/MS...that is now disapating?

[mf_dolphin]

The ridge to the north of Katrina has held it's own and even strengthened. That has prevented it from turning to this point. The question now is when will she turn and how fast.

[smashmode]

And everyone's early forcast thought the ridge would fall apart...allowing katrina a easy way to go?

Hrmm thank you dolphin.

[vbhoutex]

And everyone's early forcast thought the ridge would fall apart...allowing katrina a easy way to go?

Hrmm thank you dolphin.

Yes, that is pretty much it. The ridge is still expected to erode, but not as early, hence the continued Westerly track for the time being. By later tonight or tomorrow morning Katrina should be initiating a slow but sure wnw turn.