Abstract: Based on the principle of spectral analysis, the concept and algorithm of radar echo intensity area spectrum are proposed. Stratiform cloud, embedded convective cloud and convective cloud with different nature are investigated. Their parameter characteristics of total area, spectral shape, spectral peak value, spectral mid-value, spectral width and strong echo area(where the echo intensity exceeds 40 dBZ), basic precipitation echo area(where the echo intensity exceeds 20 dBZ) of the echo intensity area spectrum are analyzed using radar intensity data of Yinchuan Doppler weather radar. According to characteristic parameters of precipitation cloud area spectrum with different properties of radar echo intensity, a technical method is established to identify precipitation cloud types based on radar echo intensity area spectrum. The percentage of strong echo area in the total area of echo and the percentage of basic precipitation echo area in the total area of echo are used as main factors to distinguish precipitation cloud types, and the discriminant index of precipitation clouds of different types are given, such as stratiform cloud, embedded convective cloud and convective cloud and so on, based on characteristic parameters of radar echo intensity area spectrum. Meanwhile, an automatic recognition models of precipitation cloud type based on radar echo are established, and the automatic classification of precipitation cloud types based on radar echo intensity area spectrum is realized. The model is used to judge the precipitation type of 6 strong precipitation cases from 2016 to 2017. All of 6 strong precipitation processes are accurately identified, including 2 times as convective precipitation and 4 times as mixed cloud precipitation. Discriminant results are satisfied. It is better to reflect the type of precipitation cloud and verifies the feasibility of the identification method. And it is also a great significance for further intelligent analysis of precipitation properties, automatic monitoring of heavy precipitation and refined quantitative precipitation estimation.