ERIN M.

DOUGHERTY
Project Scientist I l National Center for Atmospheric Research l Boulder, CO
doughert@ucar.edu l emdougherty.weebly.com l (540)-336-9007

EDUCATION
Ph.D., Atmospheric Science August 2020
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Advisor: Dr. Kristen Rasmussen
M.S., Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences June 2017
University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY
Advisor: Dr. John Molinari
B.S., Environmental Sciences, Minor in Global Sustainability May 2015
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Advisor: Dr. Robert Davis

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Hydrometeorology, heavy rainfall, floods, climate change, atmospheric-hydrologic modeling

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Project Scientist I 2023–present
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
• Coupling WRF and WRF-Hydro simulations to better understand land-atmosphere-
hydrology feedbacks in convection across the U.S. and South America.
• Running WRF-Hydro in cloud-seeding cases in Wyoming to study the impacts on the
water cycle.
Advanced Studies Program (ASP) Postdoctoral Fellow 2020–2023
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
• Ran an ensemble of high-resolution regional climate simulations using WRF downscaling
of CESM-LENS to analyze the variability in future convective rainfall.
• Quantified the association between local versus regional flooding and storm types using
a novel storm type classification system.
Research Assistant 2017–2020
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
• Examined how flood-producing storms change in a future climate using high-resolution
simulations under the supervision of Dr. Kristen Rasmussen.
• Collaborated with Dr. Ryan Morrison and Dr. Ellison Carter in the Civil Engineering
Department to examine flood risk based on rainfall-streamflow relationships.
Research Assistant 2015–2017
SUNY Albany, Albany, NY

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 • Investigated secondary eyewall formation in a sheared hurricane using flight-level data
under the supervision of Dr. John Molinari.
Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) 2014–2015
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
• 2015: Deployed disdrometers and analyzed rainfall data during the Plains Elevated
Convection at Night Field Campaign under the mentorship of Dr. Kristen Rasmussen and
Dr. David Bodine.
• 2014: Performed a statistical climatology of wind asymmetries in Atlantic tropical
cyclones under the mentorship of Dr. Christopher Davis.
Supervised Research 2013–2014
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
• Statistically analyzed climatological and morbidity data to understand the relationship
between weather and human health under the supervision of Dr. Robert Davis.

PUBLICATIONS
Dominguez, and Coauthors: Advancing South American water and climate science through
multi-decadal convection-permitting modeling. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.
https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-22-0226.1.
R.M. Rasmussen, F. Chen, C.H. Liu, K. Ikeda, A. Prein, J. Kim, T. Schneider, A. Dai, D. Gochis, A.
Dugger, Y. Zhang, A. Jaye, J. Dudhia, C. He, M. Harrold, L. Xue, S. Chen, A. Newman, E.
Dougherty, R. Abolafia-Rosenzweig, N.D. Lybarger, R. Viger, D. Lesmes, K. Skalak, J.
Brakebill, D. Clin, K. Dunne, K. Rasmussen, and G. Miguez-Macho, 2023: CONUS404:
The NCAR-USGS 4-km long-term regional hydroclimate reanalysis over the CONUS.
Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, 104, E1383–E1408. doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D
21-0326.1.
Dougherty, E.M., A.F. Prein, E.D. Gutmann, and A.J. Newman, 2023: Future simulated
changes in Central U.S. mesoscale convective system rainfall caused by changes in
convective and stratiform structure. JGR Atmospheres, 128, doi:
https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JD037537.
Oke, O., E. Dougherty, K. L. Rasmussen, R. Morrison, and E. Carter, 2022: Spatial distribution of
socio-demographic and housing-based factors in relation to flash and slow-rise flooding
hazards in the U.S. Environ. Res. Lett., 18, doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/acce4e.
Brunner, M. and E.M. Dougherty, 2022: Varying importance of storm types and antecedent
conditions for local and regional floods. WRR, 58, 1–22,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2022WR033249.
Dougherty, E.M. and K. L. Rasmussen, 2021: Variations in flash flood-producing storm
characteristics associated with changes in vertical velocity in a future climate in the
Mississippi River Basin. J. Hydromet., 22, 671–687, doi:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-20-0254.1.
Dougherty, E., R. Morrison, and K. Rasmussen, 2021: High resolution flood precipitation and
streamflow relationships in two U.S. river basins. Meteorol Appl., 28, doi:
https://doi.org/10.1002/met.1979.

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Dougherty, E.M., E. Sherman, and K. L. Rasmussen, 2020: Future changes in the hydrologic
cycle associated with flood-producing storms in California. J. Hydromet., 21, 2607–
2621, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-20-0067.1.
Dougherty, E.M. and K. L. Rasmussen, 2020: Changes in future flash flood-producing storms in
the U.S. J. Hydromet., 21, 2221–2236, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-20-0014.1.
Dougherty, E. and K. L. Rasmussen, 2019: Climatology of flood-producing storms and their
associated rainfall characteristics in the United States. Mon. Wea. Rev., 147, 3861–
3877, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-19-0020.1.
Dougherty, E.M., J. Molinari, R.F. Rogers, J.A. Zhang, and J.P. Kossin, 2017: Hurricane Bonnie
(1998): Maintaining intensity during high vertical wind shear and eyewall
replacementcycle, Mon. Wea. Rev., 146, 3383–3399, doi: 10.1175/MWR-D-18
0030.1.
Davis, R.E., E. Dougherty, C. McArthur, Q.S. Huang, and M.G. Baker, 2015: Cold, Dry Air is
Associated with Influenza and Pneumonia Mortality in Auckland, New Zealand. Influenza
and other respiratory viruses, doi: 10.1111/irv.12369.

GRANTS
2021-2022 NCAR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Grant: “Inclusive Workshop Seminar Series”
Erin Dougherty (PI), NCAR ASP; Naoki Mizukami, NCAR RAL; Yifan Cheng, NCAR RAL;
Rachel McCrary, NCAR RAL; Andrew Newman, NCAR RAL; Ethan Gutmann, NCAR/RAL.

INVITED TALKS
• Dougherty, E.M., 2022: Variations in flash flood-producing storm characteristics
associated with changes in vertical velocity in a future climate in the Mississippi River
Basin. University of Lausanne Climate Physics Journal Club talk.
• Dougherty, E.M., 2021: Future Changes in flood-producing storm characteristics in the
U.S. University of Wyoming Department of Atmospheric Science seminar.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
• Dougherty, E.M., A. Prein, E. Gutmann, A. Newman, 2023: Future changes in mesoscale
convective system rainfall caused by changes in convective and stratiform structure.
AMS Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.
• Dougherty, E.M., A. Prein, E. Gutmann, A. Newman, 2022: Future changes in mesoscale
convective system rainfall are related to changes in convective and stratiform structure.
VI Convection-Permitting Climate Modeling Workshop, virtual.
• Dougherty, E.M., A. Prein, E. Gutmann, A. Newman, and A. Dugger, 2022: Uncertainty in
future mesoscale convective system rainfall and hydrologic response. AMS Annual
Meeting, virtual.

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• Dougherty, E.M. , K. L. Rasmussen, A. Newman, and E. Gutmann, 2021: Changes in
vertical velocity and precipitation mode in flash flood-producing storms in the
Mississippi River Basin in a future climate. EGU General Assembly, virtual.
• Dougherty, E.M. , and K. Rasmussen, 2020: Variations in flash flood-producing storm
characteristics associated with changes in vertical velocity in a future climate in the
Mississippi River Basin. AGU Annual Meeting, virtual.
• Dougherty, E.M. , E. Sherman, and K. Rasmussen, 2020: Future Changes in the
Hydrologic Cycle associated with flood-producing storms in California. International
Atmospheric Rivers Conference, virtual.
• Dougherty, E.M. , and K. Rasmussen, 2020: Changes in flash flood-producing storms in
the U.S. AMS Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.
• Dougherty, E.M., R. Morrison, and K. Rasmussen, 2020: Flood rainfall-streamflow
relationships in two contrasting river basins. AMS Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.
• Dougherty, E.M. and K. L. Rasmussen, 2019. Deploying Pangeo on a supercomputer to
study future flash floods: challenges and successes. Pangeo Community Meeting,
Seattle, WA.
• Dougherty, E.M. and K. Rasmussen, 2019: Flood-Producing Storms in a Current and Future
Climate Using High-Resolution Convection-Permitting Simulations in the United States.
CSU Hydrology Days, Fort Collins, CO.
• Morrison, R., E. Dougherty, K. Rasmussen, E. Carter, O. Oke, 2018: A Framework for
Estimating Moisture Susceptibility Attributable to Natural Flooding Hazards in the U.S.
AGU Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.
• Dougherty, E.M. and K. Rasmussen, 2018: Changes in High-Impact Floods in a Future
Climate Using High-Resolution Convection-Permitting Simulations in the U.S. GEWEX
Convection-Permitting Climate Modeling Workshop II, Boulder, CO.
• Dougherty, E.M. and K. Rasmussen, 2018: Climatology of Floods in the United States as
Observed by Storm Reports and TRMM Rainfall Data. Annual Hydrology Days, Fort Collins,
CO.
• Dougherty, E.M., J. Molinari, & D. Vollaro, 2017: Hurricane Bonnie (1998): Maintaining
Intensity during High Vertical Wind Shear and an Eyewall Replacement Cycle. Northeast
Tropical Workshop, Rensselaerville, NY.
• Dougherty, E.M., J. Molinari, & D. Vollaro, 2017: Hurricane Bonnie (1998): Maintaining
Intensity during High Vertical Wind Shear and an Eyewall Replacement Cycle. AMS Annual
Meeting, Seattle, WA.
• Dougherty, E.M., J. Molinari, R. Rogers, & J. Zhang, 2016: Hurricane Bonnie (1998):
Maintaining Intensity during High Vertical Wind Shear and an Eyewall Replacement Cycle.
Hurricane Research Division Science Meeting, Miami, FL.
• Dougherty, E.M., K.L. Rasmussen, D.J. Bodine, & A. Torres, 2015: Structural Characteristics
of Nocturnal Mesoscale Convective Systems in the U.S. Great Plains as Observed During
the PECAN Field Campaign. AGU Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
• Dougherty, E.M., C.A. Davis, 2015: Observations of Wind Asymmetries in Atlantic Tropical
Cyclones. AMS Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ.

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AWARDS/HONORS/GRANTS
ASP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2020
Shrake-Culler Scholarship for Ph.D. work 2019
Accepted into the Advanced Climate Dynamics Course 2019
Third place award for oral presentation at CSU Hydrology Days 2019
Invited summary of “Hurricane Bonnie (1998): Maintaining intensity during high vertical wind
shear and eyewall replacement cycle” to the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
2018
CSU Sustainability Leadership Fellows program 2018–2019
Michael Garstang Atmospheric Sciences Award, University of Virginia 2015

TEACHING & MENTORING

SOARS Writing Mentor, NCAR, Summer 2021 and 2023
• 2021: Reviewed and edited writing samples for Erin Evans, an undergraduate SOARS
protégé, during a summer internship.
• 2023: Reviewed and edited writing samples for Janelle McManaman, an undergraduate
SOARS protégé, during a summer internship.
CU ATOC Undergraduate Mentor, NCAR, Fall 2021
• Mentored Benjamin Danielski on internship and job advice for finding a career in
atmospheric science.
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Mentor, CSU, Summer 2019
• Mentored an undergraduate student, Lexi Sherman, conducting research on changes to
atmospheric river flood events in a future climate.
Guest lecturer, River Mechanics, CSU, Fall 2019
• Lectured about hydrometeorology and floods to the River Mechanics class in CSU’s
Engineering Department.

LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Member, WMO WWRP Integrated Hydrology and Precipitation Project 2024–2028
Moderator, IPC14 Meeting 2023
Session Chair, AMS Annual Meeting 2022
Professional Development Committee, NCAR ASP 2020–2023
Networking Committee, NCAR ASP 2021–2023
Reviewer, Journal of Hydrometeorology, Monthly Weather Review, Geophysical Research
Letters, Dynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans, Nature Geoscience, Water Resources Research
2020–present
ASP Science Advisor Search Committee 2021
FORTCAST President, CSU Department of Atmospheric Science 2019–2020
th
Invited Speaker, CSU School of Global Sustainability 10 Anniversary Symposium 2019
FORTCAST Outreach Coordinator, CSU Department of Atmospheric Science 2018–2019
Disdrometer team, CSU Department of Atmospheric Science 2018

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Outreach Event Manager, University at Albany 2016–2017
Speaker, DAES Internship Night 2015 & 2016
Co-organizer, 97th AMS Meeting’s Lance Bosart Symposium 2016
Member, AMS Student Conference Planning Committee 2015–2016

FIELD CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCE

Prediction of Rainfall Campaign in the Pacific (PRECIP) 2022
Yonaguni, Japan
• Set-up instruments and collected observations of heavy rainfall from disdrometers,
weather balloons, and a C-band radar.
• Led decision-making of deployment strategies.
PRE-CIP 2021
Colorado, U.S.
• Forecasted heavy rainfall and launched weather balloons.
Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) 2015
Central U.S.
• Deployed disdrometers and mobile pods in nighttime thunderstorms.
• Analyzed disdrometer rainfall data.

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Models: Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) and WRF-Hydro model
Programming Languages: Python, R
Operating system: Mac, Windows, Linux, UNIX

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/SOCIETIES
American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2014–present
American Meteorological Society (AMS) 2013–present
Earth Science Women’s Network (ESWN) 2016–present