With snow and cold in the forecast, it’s time for Minnesotans to embark on what has become a seasonal assignment:
We need to submit another round of creative snowplow names!
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDot) reported on Tuesday that it is “excited” to invite the public to submit names for the agency’s fifth Name a Snowplow contest.
Past winners — including Taylor Drift, Plowy McPlowFace and The Big Leplowski — could be on the roads this week: An Arctic cold front will bring the chance for accumulating snow, strong winds and frigid air later on Wednesday, the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service reports.
“Snow accumulations up to one inch may create slick travel conditions Wednesday morning,” the weather service reported. “Sub-zero air temperatures and wind chills on deck Wednesday & Thursday.”
As the plows work, we can stay inside and get creative.
“MnDOT encourages people to submit their most witty, unique and Minnesota or winter-themed snowplow name ideas through the agency’s website,” a news release stated. “Submissions will be accepted through noon on Friday, Dec. 20.”
Learn more and submit a name at dot.state.mn.us/nameasnowplow/.
This year’s contest includes a few rules and guidelines:
Each person may only submit one name.
Submissions are limited to no more than 30 characters (including letters and spaces).
Past winners will not be considered (sorry).
Also, Minnesota nice is required:
“Gosh darn it, nothing vulgar please,” MNDot urges. “Any submissions that include profanity or other inappropriate language will not be considered.”
And, despite all the election news this year, politically inspired names (including phrases, slogans or plays on politicians’ names) will not be considered.
Related Articles
“Naming snowplows is meant to be fun and lighthearted, so we’re going to keep this contest nonpartisan and nonpolitical,” MnDot says.
MnDOT staff will review all the submissions and invite the public to vote on their favorites in January.
The eight names that get the most votes will make their way onto a snowplow, one for each MnDOT district across the state.
Follow on Facebook (facebook.com/mndot), Twitter (x.com/MnDOT) and Instagram (instagram.com/mndot) for updates on the Name a Snowplow contest as well as winter weather alerts, safety messages, construction updates and more.
For real-time travel information including current road conditions, road closures, traffic cameras and more, visit 511mn.org or download the 511MN mobile phone app.