Abstract: In this paper, the development of automation for the surface meteorological observation in foreign countries is introduced, and then the domestic development in this field, especially the products and technologies of the automatic weather observation systems for cloudy, visibility and weather phenomenas are reviewed as well.Furthermore, principles and effects of cloud and multi weather phenomenon comprehensive identification products as well as weather phenomenon video intelligent observation instrument that have been developed and applied in recent years in China are discussed and analyzed.It is pointed out that the development of surface meteorological observation technology still depends on the development of observation instruments and methods.Based on the existing automatic observation, intelligent observation and socialized observation are the direction of the future development of surface meteorological observation.