Washington D.C. is gearing up for the annual extravaganza of florals as the National Park Service (NPS) prepares to announce the 2024 peak bloom dates for the city's famed cherry blossoms. The bloom, defined when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry trees' blossoms are open, is set to transform the Tidal Basin and National Mall into a spectacle of pink and white. This seasonal highlight, with anticipation high, has not yet begun, but Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer has tipped the peak to start on March 24, as NBC Washington reported.
While these predictions are eagerly awaited, the city is no stranger to nature's unpredictability. Last year's blossoms made an earlier debut thanks to an unusually warm winter, as FOX 5 DC recounted. The National Park Service, closely monitoring the buds, is scheduled to reveal its forecast on a Thursday - a moment that will set the stage for festivities, which include a kite festival, a 5k run and a culminating parade.
The cherry trees, a gift from the mayor of Tokyo over 111 years ago, have become a signature attraction for the capital, drawing visitors from across the globe. The 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival, taking place from March 20 to April 14, promises numerous activities, with the parade slated for Saturday, April 13, as 7News noted. With tickets already on sale, the annual event looks to capitalize on the springtime splendor.
Blossom watchers are keen to know when exactly they can witness the cherry trees at their best. True peak bloom only lasts a few days, and while the timing often falls between the last week of March and the first week of April, it all hinges on the whims of weather conditions. The NPS describes the blooming in five stages, from the 'Green color in buds' to 'Puffy White', according to a 7News report. Horticulturists with the NPS are keeping a close eye, and as soon as they see the florets visible, the countdown to peak beauty begins. So, whether you're a local or planning a trip, stay tuned for the official word from the NPS and ready your cameras for the bloom that briefly turns D.C. into a cherry-blossomed wonderland.
