This week, the Weather Channel announced that for the first time it would name up to 26 winter storms for the coming season, some were left scratching their heads at the simple name “Q” listed. According to the New York Times, the name, sandwiched between a philosopher and a mountain, is a reference to New York City’s Q train.
Bryan Norcross, the Weather Channel’s director of weather content, who helped create the list, came up with Q because he used to live in Midtown and take the Q from 49th Street.
“We could not find a good Q,” Norcross told the Times, adding that it was unlikely that a name so far down the list would actually be used. The channel expects to use about 10 names every season, last year, only six were severe enough to warrant a name.
“I guess it’s an honor for the Q train to be listed in the same august company as Euclid, Plato and Zeus,” MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg told the paper. “We’re always leery of anything that equates a remarkably well-run subway system with disruptions to millions of people across the country.”
The Straphangers Campaign has rated the Q as the best subway line since 2001.
