Based on the principle of Rolling Review of Requirements and structure function, the horizontal resolution (average distance between stations) of the surface meteorological observing station networks in Shandong is evaluated, and the optimum distribution scheme and distance of temperature, relative humidity and precipitation of national reference, basic and conventional meteorological observing stations in Shandong are studied. The results are as follows. (1) For national and regional meteorological observing stations, the meteorological elements with horizontal resolution from low to high are precipitation, temperature, wind direction/wind speed, relative humidity and air pressure in sequence. For national reference, basic and conventional meteorological observing stations, the horizontal resolution of each element is the same. For meteorological application observing stations, the horizontal resolution of temperature and relative humidity is smaller than that of wind direction/wind speed and precipitation. (2) Except in fields of global numerical weather forecasting and marine application, there is still a significant gap between the horizontal resolution of each element of the 4 types of surface meteorological observing stations in Shandong and the breakthrough values in various application fields of OSCAR (Observation System Capability Analysis and Review). (3) The structure functions of the 4 seasons’ temperature, relative humidity and precipitation of national reference, basic and conventional meteorological observing stations in Shandong enlarge with the increase of distance as a whole. The standard errors of linear, equilateral triangle and square interpolation of temperature, relative humidity and precipitation have linear relationship with distance. When the distance meets the condition that the standard error of point value interpolation is less than the standard error of observation, the accuracy of equilateral triangle interpolation of temperature, relative humidity and precipitation is the highest. (4) The optimum distribution scheme of temperature, relative humidity and precipitation of national reference, basic and conventional meteorological observing stations in Shandong is triangular layout. The optimum distribution distance of temperature/relative humidity/precipitation is equal to or less than 43.6/63.4/40.3 km.