R.M. Young Company Announces Re-Engineered SNOdar Snow Depth Sensor

R.M. Young Company today announced the launch of their re-engineered SNOdar (Model 54000), a LIDAR-based snow depth sensor that delivers real-time, accurate snow depth measurements during active snowfall, when reliable data is needed most.

Across environmental monitoring, infrastructure management and public safety, accurate snow depth data is a critical operational input. Obtaining that data reliably during active storm conditions has long presented a technical challenge. Most snow depth sensors rely on ultrasonic technology, which is susceptible to signal degradation in falling snow. SNOdar uses LIDAR, Light Detection and Ranging, to provide continuous, accurate measurement even in the middle of a snowstorm.

R.M. Young Company, a manufacturer of professional meteorological instruments since 1964, acquired the SNOdar technology and undertook a comprehensive re-engineering effort to bring the product fully in line with the performance and reliability standards the company has upheld since its founding. Improvements include a major overhaul of the mobile app, enhanced SDI-12 firmware reliability, refined data visualization and a redesigned mounting clamp with improved thermal isolation.

The SNOdar features an internal non-volatile data logger capable of storing a full season of measurements, eliminating the need for a separate logger at each deployment site. The sensor outputs data via SDI-12 and RS-232, enabling integration with existing hydrological and meteorological monitoring networks without replacing existing infrastructure.

At 265 grams and smaller than a baseball, the SNOdar is among the most compact laser-based snow depth sensors on the market. Its average power draw of 0.5 watts makes it well-suited for solar and battery-powered deployment at remote sites. Field configuration, calibration and data access are handled through a free iOS and Android app via Bluetooth Low Energy—no cable or on-site computer required. Most installations are complete in under 30 minutes.

“Snow professionals trusted us with their feedback, and that meant something to our team,” said Conor Byrne, Engineering Manager at R.M. Young Company. “We poured an enormous amount of engineering work into this product, listening carefully, addressing every concern and holding ourselves to the standard that R.M. Young has stood for over six decades. The SNOdar that exists today is a direct result of that process. We are incredibly proud of what this instrument has become, and we believe the people who depend on it will feel the difference.”

R.M. Young Company hosted a free technical webinar on May 28, 2026. The session covered SNOdar's measurement technology and performance in storm conditions, hardware specifications and deployment best practices, connectivity and network integration, and recent product improvements. The webinar was presented by Gabe Denton, Business Development Manager, and Conor Byrne, Engineering Manager, and included a live Q&A. The session was intended for field technicians, hydrologists, meteorologists, and engineers responsible for snow monitoring infrastructure. Registration remains available here.

The SNOdar is available now and ships within one week. It is backed by a full one-year warranty. For ordering information and full product specifications, contact the sales team. Additional resources are available on the website.