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The Portland Bureau of Transportation's (PBOT) annual Snowplow Naming Contest invites Portlanders to submit creative names for the bureau's fleet of 56 snowplows. PBOT uses ranked-choice voting to select the top five names each year. Contest information and background.
Background
Since 2024, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has invited the public to dream up creative names for the bureau's fleet of 56 snowplows in its annual Snowplow Naming Contest.
Every fall, PBOT staff begin preparing for winter weather. 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. With whimsy and fun, the annual contest helps focus the public's attention on winter weather.
Remember: preparing for winter weather is everyone's responsibility. PBOT's "GET HOME SAFE" snow and ice travel tips page has information in 10 languages on preparing for winter and getting around in inclement weather.
How the contest works
Fill out the form
Coinciding with schools' winter break, PBOT releases a contest form open for two weeks. Everyone is invited to dream up their punniest, most creative, Portland-y, Pacific Northwest-proud names they can think of. Submit as many ideas as you want! Find the 2025-26 submission form, contest rules, timeline, and more information by visiting the link below:
2025 -2026 Snowplow Naming Contest
Vote for your favorite
PBOT staff sort through the entries to pick the top 20. Finalists are chosen based on the most popular submissions and ones that highlight Portland places and people.
The public is then invited to choose their favorite six of the top 20 names using ranked-choice voting.
Celebrate
The top 5 winning names will be printed and displayed on PBOT snowplow trucks by the following fall when winter prep begins. People who submitted a winning name will get bragging rights and the chance to see their snowplow at our winter weather training session. For winning names with more than one submission, we'll honor the person that sent it in first.
Previous winners
2024-2025 Snowplow Naming Contest winners
- The Big Leplowski, submitted by Bryson Helble
- Beverly Clear-y, submitted by Elizabeth Mara
- Brrrrnside, submitted by Sherri P.
- Salt and Thaw, submitted by Arpita K.
- Plowy McPlowface, submitted by anonymous
In February 2025, five PBOT snowplow drivers helped reveal the winning names in this fun video:
Learn more about Portland City Elections
Housed in the Portland City Auditor's Office, the Elections Division is responsible for city candidates and Portland voters. Make sure you are ready for our next ranked-choice election by visiting: Portland.gov/Vote
About PBOT
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides people and businesses access and mobility. We keep Portland moving. PBOT is the lead agency for snow and ice response in Portland. PBOT is ready to respond to weather emergencies 24/7. A single storm can produce wildly different road conditions throughout the city based on timing, weather patterns, and geography. Moisture and cold temperature combine in myriad ways to create hazardous conditions on our roads. Check out our Winter Weather Basics FAQ for more information.
Sign up for the PBOT notifications you want to receive via email or text including news releases, traffic advisories, and winter weather information.