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'Ctrl + Salt + Delete' and other names Redmond just gave its snowplows

caption: A snow plow clears icy roads in Redmond.
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A snow plow clears icy roads in Redmond.
City of Redmond.

The City of Redmond is the latest to have the honor of bestowing names upon its heroes. And by heroes, we mean snowplows — the machines that go forth into the white flurry of road disruptions. Without them, roads would be an icy wasteland few could cross.

It should probably come as no surprise that a community like Redmond, filled with tech companies like Microsoft, chose a name like "Ctrl + Salt + Delete." See the four other names the city chose below.

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“Not only do these plows play an important role in keeping our city safe during winter storms, but the playful names chosen by our residents also show the resilience and innovation that define Redmond," Redmond Mayor Angela Birney said.

The city got five new snow plows this year and asked locals to name them. A total of 583 people submitted names. Staff picked 14 they felt stood out, and the final decision was put up for a vote.

The five new names include: Ctrl + Salt + Delete, Scoop Dogg, Snow-begone Kenobi, The Big Leplowski, and Betty Whiteout.

The upcoming winter forecast for Washington is for a "weak La Niña." As of Nov. 21, the National Weather Center's Climate Prediction Center said the Northwest is slated for below average temperatures and some regular precipitation (though the forecast over the next month says temps will lean above average). So, some icy weather is possible.

The plows' new names will be painted on their sides. The city uses liquid calcium deicer ahead of icy weather when it is forecast. When snow does fall, the plows use calcium chloride, salt, and sand on priority roads (routes around schools, emergency building, etc.), totaling 152 miles.

Residents can also see where the snow plows are in real time on the city's snow response page.

While Redmond's snowplow names are fun, they aren't entirely original. Eastern Washington also has a Betty Whiteout and a Big Leplowski.

Lynnwood also has a Star Wars-themed Snowbi Wan Kenobi, in addition to Plowy McPlowface and Clearapathra.

WSDOT has a tow plow named Big Leplowski and another named Betty Whiteout, and two more named Sir Plows-A-Lot and Plowie McPlow Plow.

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