DC Cherry Blossoms To Hit Peak Bloom Early, Dates Announced

WASHINGTON, DC — With a mild winter winding down in the Washington, D.C., region, the National Park Service said fans of D.C.'s famed Yoshino cherry blossoms will reach peak bloom early this year.

On Thursday, the Park Service said to expect full blooms from March 23 to March 26.

The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April, the NPS Bloom Watch site said. Extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958).

On Tuesday, The Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post said this winter's abnormally mild weather will likely cause the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin to reach peak bloom between March 19 and 23 — about 10 days earlier than normal and one of the earliest peak blooms on record.

"Such an early bloom fits into recent trends fueled by human-caused climate change," the Capital Weather Gang said in its forecast. "The average peak has advanced about six days over the last century, from April 4 to March 30. Each of the last four years has seen peak bloom before March 29."

The National Cherry Blossom Festival will run from March 20 through April 14, with dozens of events around the city to celebrate the flower.

Last year, peak bloom was on March 23, according to the website Cherry Blossom Watch. That's more than a week early.

Related: DC's Cherry Blossoms To Peak 10 Days Early, Forecasters Predict

Peak bloom is declared by the National Park Service when 70 percent of the cherry blossoms are open. The Yoshino trees typically bloom for several days, and the length of the blooming period depends on weather conditions. Cool, calm weather can extend the length of the bloom, but a rainy, windy day can bring it to an abrupt end by stripping the delicate petals from the trees.

The National Park Service and the National Cherry Blossom Festival offer a variety of events and activities during the Cherry Blossom Festival, including the Blossom Kite Festival, Japanese Street Festival, Captial Waterfront Fireworks during the Petalpalooza event, National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, and more.

Find dates and times for Cherry Blossom Festival events here.