The Portland Bureau of Transportation checked its snowplow fleet in preparation for winter storms, on Oct. 23, 2025.
Kristian Foden-Vencil / OPB
It’s still rare to find accumulated snowfall on Portland roads — but it happens often enough that the city has a fleet of 56 snowplows.
And a handful of them are about to get a new name.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation started its snowplow naming contest in 2024. As part of its public service campaign about safe winter driving, PBOT asked Portlanders to submit witty and amusing titles for the city’s plows.
Out of more than 4,000 submissions, city staff picked 20 finalists. The public selected their top choices using a ranked choice voting method, similar to what’s used now for city elections.
“After welcoming Beverly Clear-y, Salt & Thaw, Brrrnside, Plowy McPlowface, and The Big Snowplowski, there are 51 left to name,” the bureau said in a news release about the contest. “This year, with the help of the public, the PBOT will name five more.”
While still infrequent, winter storms with snow accumulation present the Rose City with many transportation safety challenges. PBOT workers especially rely on snowplows to keep routes safe for emergency vehicles and public transit, while minimizing obstacles for other drivers.
“When snow starts to fall, snowplow drivers work around the clock in tough conditions to keep streets navigable for first responders and TriMet bus and Portland Streetcar operators,” PBOT said in the release. “With whimsy and fun, the annual contest helps focus the public’s attention on winter weather.”
Initial name suggestions are due to PBOT by Monday, Jan. 5. Once again, bureau employees will select 20 finalists for the public to choose from, with ballots due by Jan. 21. The new snowplow names are expected to be announced the week of Feb. 2.
And while this reporter’s favorite — Plowy McPlowface — has already been chosen, Snowy McSnowface is still up for grabs.
