The National Park Service (NPS) has released its prediction for the cherry blossom ‘Peak Bloom’, and they believe it will fall between March 28-31 this year.
NPS shared the prediction in a social media post, adding that “Extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in Peak Bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958).”
Per the NPS, the blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city. The famous trees, a gift of Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s beginning of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms.
The NPS defines the peak bloom date as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) blossoms are open. Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions. The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April.
The Yoshino trees typically bloom for a period of several days. The length of the blooming period depends on weather conditions. Cool, calm weather can extend the length of the bloom, and a rainy, windy day can bring an abrupt end to the ephemeral blossoms. A late frost can prevent the trees from blooming at all.
Additional information can be found on the NPS website.