Meet Tom Blizzo And Truck Norris MDOT’s Funniest Snowplows

With winter finally clocking in across all of Michigan, MDOT's big orange workhorses are back on the road, and they’re showing up representing Michigan this year.

All of the state-run plows that clear our freeways and state roads have their own personalities, thanks to a naming effort that leans into Michigan pride. A lot of them are pure Great Lakes dad-joke style, like Yooper Scooper, Ford Field Flurry Fighter, and Kid Rock Salt.

Michigan’s Big Orange “Celebrities” Hit The Roads

Others feel like they were decided while watching movies. Blizzard of Oz, Frostin' Powers, Austin Plowers, and Snowba Fett are all out there doing their own battle with the weather.

Each region has its own names, per MDOT. You can actually look up which punny plows are patrolling in a city near you. Here in the University Region, which does cover the Lansing area, we’ve got a pretty good lineup:

• Tom Blizzo
• Big Penny
• Truck Norris
• Austin Plowers
• Chilly Dog
• Clearopathra
• Creedence Clear-Road Revival
• Ebenezer Scoop
• Edgar Allan Snow
• Luke Saltwalker
• Melton John
• Peppy Le Plow
• Snowprah Winfrey

The next time you’re crawling behind a plow on 127 or I-96, just know that you’re stuck in traffic with possibly Peppy Le Plow, Snowprah Winfrey, or even Big Penny.

Spot Your Favorite Plow On 127 Or I-96

The beauty of Big Penny, though? She won’t attempt munching on any trucks on the highway… or so we hope.

What is your favorite name for this year’s snowplows? Each year they seem to get a little more interesting.