The invention relates to a method for determining icing and snowing types by means of image RGB vectors. The method is technically characterized by comprising the following steps of obtaining RGB vector values of typical icing and snowing types, building the corresponding relation between the RGB vector values and the typical icing and snowing types to form a typical icing type database; photographing icing and snowing images on a power transmission line insulator on site, extracting RGB values of icing and snowing points, comparing the RGB vector values of a measuring region with the RGB vector values of the typical icing and snowing types in the database, and therefore determining the icing and snowing type. By photographing the icing and snowing images on the power transmission line insulator on site, the RGB values of the icing and snowing points are extracted and compared with the typical icing type database built in advance, and therefore the icing and snowing type is determined;the icing and snowing type on the insulator which is away from the ground and is running can be remotely measured and judged, so that the icing and snowing type of the power transmission line insulator is rapidly recognized, and important references are provided for circuit snowing resistance and flashover work thereof.