I have noticed that northward component all day..and not just for a couple of hours, either. I would say that if this continues, it is not going to be considered a trend. In fact, the 2pm has it going NW (which I can see..it goes a little west, then north - but more North).
I don't know what's going on...but people all along the Gulf Coast better pay real close attention to Ike.
We got hit by a squall here in Lakeland that had small trees bending over - and I bet the winds were over 40mph..and dumped at least 1" of rain into the McDonald's we were at when it hit. Meanwhile, everyone was staring at the TV screen as they showed Ike supposedly going W/NW.
Remember..some of the outlier models had further east of the current track..only a couple, but that could change.