Ashley Dougherty (born May 18, 1987) is an American meteorologist known for her work at WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh.
She joined the ABC affiliate in January 2012 and forecasts the weather on weekday mornings. Viewers across Western Pennsylvania rely on her reports to plan their day.
Who is Ashley Dougherty?
Ashley Dougherty is a broadcast meteorologist at WTAE-TV, Channel 4, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is part of the Action News 4 weather team.
Her main job is to forecast the weather for weekday mornings and midday. She has held that role since 2012. Early risers in Pittsburgh know her face well.
Dougherty grew up in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. She later earned a communication degree in West Virginia and trained in broadcast meteorology.
She is a member of the National Weather Association and holds its Seal of Approval. Her work has also won regional media awards.
Her path from Lawrence County to a major TV market took years of steady work.
Early Life of Ashley Dougherty
Ashley Dougherty was born on May 18, 1987, in Wampum, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
She grew up there with two older brothers, Chris Dougherty and Justin Dougherty.
Growing up with two brothers led her to join the boys’ golf team at Mohawk High School. She was reportedly the only girl on the team. Her love of golf started early.
At age 13, she worked her first job, cleaning golf carts. She reportedly took the job because she loved the sport. It was a humble start for a future TV forecaster.
Dougherty also took part in school life beyond sports. She was reportedly a co-captain of the cheerleading squad at Mohawk High School.
Ashley Dougherty Age
Ashley Dougherty is 39 years old as of 2026, born on May 18, 1987. She works as a weekday morning meteorologist at WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh.
Ashley Dougherty Education
Dougherty graduated from Mohawk High School. She then enrolled at Bethany College in West Virginia.
At Bethany, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication. The college later named her to its Communications and Media Arts Wall of Fame.
That honor reflects how far she has come since graduation.
She also earned a broadcast meteorology certificate from Mississippi State University. This training prepared her for a career in television weather.
Together, these two programs gave her both the media skills and the science she needed. Few forecasters build that mix of training before their first job.
Ashley Dougherty Career
Ashley Dougherty has spent her whole career in television news and weather. Her journey took her from West Virginia to Pittsburgh.
Each step added more experience on air. Each job also moved her closer to a full-time spot in a big market.
Early Career
Dougherty reportedly began in TV as an editor and production assistant on a commentary show called The Point with Mark Hyman. That job gave her a look at how a newsroom works.
In January 2008, she joined WTRF-TV in Wheeling, West Virginia, as a weekend meteorologist. She worked there until 2012. Wheeling gave her the on-air experience she needed.
From 2010 to 2012, she also worked as a freelance meteorologist for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. That job brought her back to her home region.
Major Positions Held
In January 2012, Dougherty joined WTAE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh. She became part of the Action News 4 weather team.
She earned a regular place on weekday morning newscasts. Her forecasts also air at midday. Her time at the station now spans more than a decade.
She also holds the National Weather Association Seal of Approval. The seal is a mark of quality for on-air weather forecasters.
Current Role
Today, Dougherty is the weekday morning meteorologist at WTAE-TV. She forecasts Pittsburgh’s weather on Action News 4 each weekday morning and at noon.
Her forecasts also appear online. Her work has been featured on WTAE’s website and on MSN.
Few jobs start the day as early as hers. Her public profile describes her as a weather nerd and a rescue advocate. It also lists her as a mum.
Ashley Dougherty Awards and Recognition
Dougherty has earned honors from both the weather and media worlds. Her best-known recognition is the Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association.
She has also won state-level awards for her weathercasts. Reportedly, these honors include:
- Keystone Media Award for Best Weathercast (2023)
- Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Outstanding Television Weathercast Award (2024)
- Communications and Media Arts Wall of Fame, Bethany College
Back-to-back recognition in 2023 and 2024 stands out. Bethany College also honored her for her work in media.
That award came from the school where her career began to take shape.
Ashley Dougherty Husband
Ashley Dougherty is married to Robert Baft, who is often called Bobby. The couple reportedly married in August 2018.
Baft keeps a low profile. He avoids the media even though his wife works in front of a camera every day.
The couple keeps most of their home life private. They live in the Pittsburgh area. Dougherty rarely shares details about their daily routine.
Ashley Dougherty Children
Ashley Dougherty and Robert Baft have a daughter named Willow Marie. She was born in 2022.
Dougherty refers to herself as Willow’s mum in her public profile. She kept working as a weekday meteorologist at WTAE-TV after her daughter’s birth.
Motherhood added a new chapter to her story. Her family life stays mostly out of the spotlight. Her focus on air remains the Pittsburgh forecast.
Ashley Dougherty Net Worth and Salary
Ashley Dougherty’s estimated net worth is $1 million as of 2026. Her income comes mainly from her work as a television meteorologist at WTAE-TV. A steady TV career has been the base of her earnings.
Salary
Dougherty reportedly earns about $70,000 a year at WTAE-TV. Pay for TV meteorologists depends on experience and the size of the market.
She has held her job at WTAE-TV for more than a decade. That long run adds to her experience and her value to the station.
Ashley Dougherty Social Media
Dougherty is active on Instagram. Her public bio lists her handle as ashley_dougherty412.
She also runs a public Facebook page called Ashley Dougherty WTAE. The page lists her as a meteorologist at WTAE-TV. Both pages keep her close to Pittsburgh viewers.
Her forecasts also appear on the WTAE website. Fans can follow her weather updates there and on her social pages.
The Bottom Line
Ashley Dougherty has built a steady career one early morning forecast at a time.
For more than a decade, Pittsburgh viewers have counted on her to start their day.
