What causes a hurricane to spin the way it does?

Answer 1

The Coriolis Effect. The differences in the relative velocity of the earth at the extreme latitudes of the storm make hurricanes turn clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Also, since there is little relative difference near the equator, islands like Aruba never get hurricanes.

Incidentally, this effect has nothing to with how water drains down a pipe or toilet. At such small scales, the Coriolis effect is infinitesimal.

Answer 2

Coriolis effect does cause the spin of hurricanes as well as ocean currents. (things bend to the right in the N hemisphere and to the left in the S hemisphere). This causes oceans currents to move generally clockwise in the N hemisphere. But Hurricanes spin counterclockwise in the N hemisphere (and opposite in the S)

This is because hurricanes are caused by low pressure. As oceans are warmed near the equator, the heat rises. This creates low pressure. Air rushes from surrounding area towards the low pressure. As air rushes in, it deflects to the right (in the N hemisphere). If all the air moving towards the center is deflecting to the right, you can imagine that it will spin counterclockwise. TADA! Hurricanes (and typhoons)!

Answer 3

Hurricanes are not driven by heat, they are electrically driven. If they were driven by heat, wouldn't you think (given the immense energy they expend) that there would be some mighty cold weather and a bit of snow in it's wake?

I live in Florida, and I have seen my share of hurricanes - and I can tell you for certain sure that there is no cooler air, weather, or snow in their wake.

Orthodoxy is afraid to tackle the real reason - because they can't account for the electricity.

So the spin relates to electrical currents.
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Answer 4

Hurricanes' spins are due to the Coriolis Effect.

Answer 5

I think you are mistaking tornadoes from hurricanes. Tornadoes spin because of accelarating momentum.