The College of Atmospheric Sciences at Lanzhou University was established in 2004, starting with the Meteorology Teaching and Research Group founded in 1958. In 1971, Lanzhou University officially established the Meteorology major, and on this basis, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences was founded in 1987. In 2004, Lanzhou University established the first College of Atmospheric Sciences in Chinese universities in response to the needs of talent cultivation for the development of the national meteorological industry, opening a new page in the history of atmospheric science development at Lanzhou University. In 2017, atmospheric science was selected for the national first-class discipline construction list, and in 2022, it was selected for the second round of first-class discipline construction list. The development of the college has entered a new era.

The college has the authority to confer doctoral degrees in the first level discipline of atmospheric science approved by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council. It has three doctoral programs in meteorology, atmospheric physics and atmospheric environment, and climatology, as well as four master's programs in meteorology, atmospheric physics and atmospheric environment, applied meteorology, and climatology. The college has 5 departments, 2 centers, 3 provincial and ministerial level key laboratories, and 2 provincial and ministerial level listed centers (bases); The departments include Climatology, Meteorology, Atmospheric Physics, Atmospheric Environment, Atmospheric Detection and Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Science Teaching and Experimental Center, and Lanzhou University Environmental Quality Assessment Research Center; Key Laboratory of Semi arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Arid Climate Change and Disaster Reduction in Gansu Province (cooperation), Key Laboratory of Climate Resource Development and Disaster Prevention and Reduction in Gansu Province; Gansu Province Atmospheric Science Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center and National Science Popularization Education Base (Lanzhou University Semi arid Climate and Environment Observation Station). The main scientific research directions of the college currently include: climate dynamics and climate prediction, semi-arid climate change, atmospheric dynamics simulation, atmospheric remote sensing and data assimilation, arid climate and disaster meteorology, environmental assessment and pollution prevention, atmospheric diffusion, atmospheric aerosols and climate, environmental meteorological forecasting, global change and land processes, medical meteorology, etc. In 2018, Professor Huang Jianping led the establishment of the 'Western Ecological Security Province Ministry Joint Construction Collaborative Innovation Center'. The center closely follows the national development strategy of building a 'Beautiful China' and the 'Belt and Road' initiative, and conducts collaborative innovation research on 'multi circle interactions and their environmental and climate effects', 'the impact of climate change on water resources and ecosystems', and other topics.

The college adheres to the strategic orientation of 'four orientations' and has produced a number of highly influential original achievements. Its social service capabilities have greatly improved, its scientific and technological innovation capabilities have significantly enhanced, and its academic papers and research results have been increasing year by year. The college has established the first semi-arid climate and environment observation station with international standards in the northwest region of China, and conducted multiple large-scale field comprehensive observation experiments in the dust source area; We have achieved a series of innovative research results, which have effectively promoted the development of climate observation research in China. While focusing on the forefront of disciplinary development and major scientific issues that urgently need to be addressed by the country, the college strives to do a good job in applied scientific research related to local economic construction, disaster prevention and reduction, and environmental protection. the college actively transforms scientific and technological achievements in environmental impact assessment and planning, post disaster reconstruction, etc., making important contributions to local economic construction.

Facing the world and looking to the future, the College of Atmospheric Sciences at Lanzhou University will always adhere to the motto of 'learning diligently, adapting to the times, maintaining integrity, and fostering harmony' and the motto of 'self-improvement and uniqueness'. It will face the forefront of world science and technology, major national strategic needs, continuously promote the deep integration of scientific research and teaching practice, further strengthen the combination of basic research and applied research, actively promote the construction of top teaching and research platforms, and build itself into a top atmospheric science school at home and abroad.