Deserts occupy 1/4 of the earth's land area.All sectors of society have always paid much more attention to the effects of desert weather and climate on global ecology,environment and climate.Firstly,this paper briefly reviewed the development history of desert meteorology,referring to the representative works concerning desert meteorology at home and abroad.Further,this paper illustrated the research progress of desert meteorology at the several aspects,including physical properties of desert surface,desert weather and desert boundary layer,desert climate,and effects of desert on regional and global environment.Finally,this paper puts forward the prospects of desert meteorology research.