Abstract: Since the invention of the first weather radar, the weather radar technology has been innovated and developed continuously.Initially, the “angel” echo, which was generated by precipitation, and the zero-layer bright band were identified by the weather radar with analog signals.Meanwhile, classic concepts of weather radar, such as single echo, clear sky echo and echo splitting were proposed, pushing forward the application and development of weather radar.Later, digital weather radar was developed, bringing radar detection into the era of quantitative measurement and promoting the prevalent application of quantitative precipitation measurement with weather radar.The 1990s witnessed the development of Doppler weather radar, which can demonstrate not only the thermal structure characteristics but also the dynamic structure characteristics of meteorological targets, for example, the discovery of mesocyclone structure.Valuable information for exploring the structure and the evolution of meteorological targets can be obtained through the application of Doppler weather radar.In addition, the use of Doppler information also effectively alleviates the influence of surface features.Currently, the dual polarization Doppler weather radar, which is being developed in the world's major developed countries, provides us with a variety of polarization variables and therefore a solid physical basis for further revealing the microphysical characteristics of precipitation clouds as well as for the classification of water condensates.After analyzing the factors influencing the development of weather radar technology, it is proposed that meteorological targets are the most essential factors determining the development of weather radar technology.Moreover, seven development directions for weather radar technology are put forward.Based on the analysis and discussion on the challenges along with the development of weather radar in China as well as on the hot topics concerning the technological development of weather radar, thinking about the technological regime and the key issues during the development of weather radar in China is put forward, aiming to offering some scientific guidelines for the advances of weather radar technology so as to ensure the sustainable development of weather radar in China.Consequently, it is hoped that China will upgrade from a big country of weather radar to a strong country of weather radar.