When do cherry blossoms bloom in DC? National Park Service announces peak dates.
When do cherry blossoms bloom in DC? National Park Service announces peak dates.
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Cherry blossom trees reach peak bloom early in Washington D.C.
Visitors to the tidal basin in Washington D.C. were treated to an earlier-than-usual blooming of the cherry blossoms due to warmer weather in March.
The predictions are in for this year's cherry blossom peak bloom in Washington D.C.
The National Park Service (NPS) on Thursday announced peak bloom season for the District of Columbia's Tidal Basin cherry blossoms is expected to fall between March 28-31 this year.
The peak bloom date is "defined as the period when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open," according to the park service. About 3,800 cherry trees grow around the Tidal Basin and National Mall.
The dates are a prediction, NPS added, because peak bloom depends on weather conditions.
"Peak Bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions and usually occurs during the last week of March or the first week of April," NPS said. "Extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in Peak Bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958)."
How long is peak bloom?
The length of blooming period also depends on the weather, according to the park service. Cool and calm weather can extend the length of blooming period, but a rainy, windy day can cause the ephemeral blossoms to end abruptly. A late frost can prevent the trees from blooming altogether.
"The Yoshino trees typically bloom for only several days, making a short-lived scene of splendor that is one of Washington, D.C.'s most anticipated events," NPS said in its announcement.
A famous cherry tree in DC was uprooted. Its clones help keep legacy alive
Where are the best views of the cherry blossoms?
Though cherry blossoms are scattered throughout the capital, the highest concentration of the trees is in Potomac Park, around the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial, close to the National Mall.
Washington tourism department also recommends off-the-radar spots such as the National Arboretum, Anacostia Park, Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown, Stanton Park and Oxon Run Park.
The cherry trees were given "as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan," the park service says. More than 3,000 cherry trees of various varieties arrived in Washington from Yokohama on March 26, 1912.
'Magnificent': Japan gifts more cherry trees to Washington as token of enduring friendship
When is the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival?
The park service, in collaboration with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will be celebrating the bloom in the district from March 20 to April 14.
Multiple events are scheduled for the festival, including a parade, concerts and fireworks, for locals and for visitors who descend upon the city during the season.
Festival highlights include:
The Blossom Kite Festival around the Washington Monument on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. along Constitution Avenue.
The Petalpalooza music and arts festival from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Capital Riverfront on April 5, with fireworks at 8:30 p.m.
The dates for some events, such as the Jefferson Memorial Cherry Blossom Ranger Talk, ranger-led lantern walks, and the Pups N' Petals Dog Walk have not yet been announced by NPS.
Contributing: Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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