Abstract: A large number of observations have proven the existence of urbanization precipitation effect. Urbanization process affects the precipitation distribution by the process of urban underlying surface properties changing, urban-suburban thermal equilibrium difference and local circulation. With the city sprawling, scientists and city planners are increasingly focusing on the influence of precipitation by urbanization. This paper reviews the observations of precipitation intensity and spatial distribution differences, mechanism and research methods for urbanization effect. Finally, the problems and further research directions of urbanization precipitation effect are discussed.