The invention relates to an online observation device and method for weather phenomena based on a light attenuation and scattering theory. The online observation device adopts an optical-mechanical structure with double light-source transmitting terminals and a single receiving end, and the optical-mechanical structure is as follows: a light source 1 transmits a precise parallel measuring light band; when falling precipitation particles pass through the measuring light band, the falling precipitation particles play a role of blocking and attenuating the light band; a photoelectric conversion signal is analyzed, so that the falling speed of the precipitation particles and the information of particle sizes can be obtained, the judgment to a precipitation weather phenomenon is realized, and the information such as precipitation intensity and raindrop spectrum can be provided; a light source 2 transmits a collimated measuring light beam; the scattering light intensity in an angle of horizontal 45 degrees of atmospheric particles in a sampling area on the light beam is detected, so that atmospheric visibility is reflected, and the identification of a visible weather phenomenon is realized. The device and the method realize the online automatic observation of a variety of weather phenomena, avoid adverse factors such as subjectivity in manual observation to cause observed results to be more accurate, timely, complete and integrated, have real significances on corresponding sciences such as meteorology, agriculture and environmental protection and engineering researches, and are widely applied to the fields of meteorological service observation, traffic safety scheduling, prevention and reduction of agricultural disasters, air quality monitoring and the like.