Compared with microwave, millimeter wave has higher frequency, shorter wavelength and wider frequency range. And it has advantages of high spatial and temporal resolution for detecting small particles such as cloud particles in the atmosphere. Therefore, millimeter wave weather radar can realize more accurate observation of atmosphere, cloud, aerosol, etc. It can improve the accuracy of existing meteorological numerical forecast, and can detect and forecast the occurrence of extreme weather disasters. In view of the unique advantages of millimeter-wave weather radar in the field of atmospheric detection, the development and application of millimeter-wave weather radar has become an important direction of the future development of meteorological detection equipment in China. This paper introduces the development, characteristics and typical applications of millimeter wave radar technology, discusses the application of millimeter wave meteorological radar in atmospheric detection, and introduces the research results of millimeter wave meteorological radar. Finally, the main problems and key technologies in the development of millimeter wave meteorological radar are presented.