Meet Minnesota’s New Snowplows: Blizzo, Clearopathtra, and Han Snowlo
Winter isn’t over yet, and some new snowplows are hitting the roads in Minnesota. During the annual contest to help name Minnesota’s new snowplows, more than 64,000 people voted from around the world. Next time you take your car, truck, or sport utility vehicle on the roads in Minnesota after a big snow, you can thank the plow by name.
Minnesota’s new snowplow names include Clearopathtra and Yer a Blizzard, Harry
While winter might be depressing for some, Minnesota hopes to make the snowfall a bit better. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) tallied the results of the 2022-23 Name a Snowplow contest. With more than 60,000 votes, Minnesota’s eight new snowplows have some creative new names.
| Snowplow Name | Minnesota Location | Votes |
| Yer a Blizzard, Harry | District 8 (Southwest) | 15,248 |
| Blizzo | Twin Cities (Metro) | 14,935 |
| Clearopathtra | District 1 (Northeast) | 12,729 |
| Better Call Salt | District 3 (Central) | 12,112 |
| Han Snowlo | District 7 (South Central) | 11,361 |
| Blader Tot Hotdish | District 2 (Northwest) | 10,901 |
| Scoop! There It Is | District 6 (Southeast) | 10,728 |
| Sleetwood Mac | District 4 (West Central) | 10,397 |
MnDOT received more than 10,000 submissions for snowplow names and ended up with 60 finalists. Staff sifted through the options and considered a few factors before settling on the finalists. These include the uniqueness of the name, the number of submissions, and especially Minnesota-specific ideas. At the end of the day, the snowplow names are meant to be easily identifiable and understandable.
Lizzo even shouted out to Minnesota’s new snowplow, Blizzo
Yer a Blizzard, Harry was the number one choice, landing in District 8 with 15,248 votes. Blizzo (14,935 votes), Clearopathtra (12,729 votes), and Better Call Salt (12,112) also racked up many votes. Some other options that didn’t make the top 10 include Taylor Drift with 9,921 votes and Sir Plows-a-Lot with 9,741.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation had 64,075 unique voters participate in the competition. This is the third year in a row the Department of Transportation has held a contest to name its snowplows.
Lizzo even shouted the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Name a Snowplow contest on Twitter.
“Of all the awards I have received, this, by far, is the highest honor. To know there is a snowplow named Blizzo that is clearing the streets of the Twin Cities makes my heart melt – or freeze.”
Lizzo | Twitter
She went on to thank Osseo Middle School in Maple Grove, Minnesota, for the nomination. Minnesota’s new snowplows are famous!
How much snow does Minnesota get?
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota’s average annual precipitation (rainfall plus the water equivalent found in snowfall) in Minnesota ranges from 18 inches to 32 inches. The average snowfall ranges from 36 inches in the southwest to 70 inches along Lake Superior. That’s a lot of snow for the snowplows to handle.
Either way, Minnesota’s new snowplows are soon hitting the road in various areas across the state. Be on the lookout for Blader Tot Hotdish and Sleetwood Mac if you are on the roads after some snow in the next few weeks. You might even see one of last year’s winners, Plowy McPlowface, with a new name.
