Why is it Called a Noreaster When it Comes From the South?

[Anne]

That's my question for the day. Hurricaine Ida took a stroll up from Alabama to hit us here in Hampton Roads, Virginia yesterday. We were expecting strong winds and rain, but nothing too terrible, I thought. What we got was 60 - 75 MPH winds (that's category 1, folks) and flooding.

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[PCarrico]

And in the Gulf Stream off the East Coast of the USA, the waves get massivly humongous and square during Nor' Easters. On the coast, lots of beach errosion.

[Mike Brown]

Terri's answer is close. Since it's a low pressure system it rotates counter clockwise. If part of the low is over water, which is what happens when they run up the east coast, it picks up moisture from the ocean and dumps it back on land with winds out of the north east. Therefore the name North Easter. It's when we get out biggest rain and snowfalls.

[Terri]

Newbie thought's on...... cause it rotates north to east...counterclockwise....lol, dunno..that's my answer and i'm sticking with it.. till someone else responds. Just glad it ain't snow! That'll be next month