Washington D.C. has a splash of spring on the horizon as the capital's iconic cherry trees hit stage two of their bloom cycle, with "florets visible" now marking the progress, according to the National Park Service. The beloved blossoms that line the Tidal Basin and National Mall are expected to hit peak bloom between March 23 and March 26, signaling that the long-awaited floral spectacle is a mere three weeks away.
While the buds are maturing according to Mother Nature's unpredictable timetable, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer has pinpointed March 24 as the likely kickoff of peak bloom, reported NBC Washington. The forecast comes after a January that was the warmest on record, which Jeff Reinbold, the National Park Service's superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, described as complicating predictions for this year's bloom season.
The cherry blossoms have progressed to florets visible, the 2nd of 6 stages. Depending on the weather, peak bloom should be around 3 weeks away!
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 5, 2024
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Follow the #BloomWatch online: https://t.co/h04Gu0ksc1#Cherryblossom #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/AGXela7nQv
The NPS also focuses on how the cherry blossom season has been shaped by broader environmental factors. "Cherry tree dates vary from year to year, but the long-term trend shows earlier and earlier blooming," climatologist Patrick Gonzalez told WUSA9. Gonzalez pointed out that D.C.'s average temperature has risen by 1.6 degrees Celsius per century, doubling the global rate, and warned of continued climate change impacts, including additional warming that could advance blooming "by another week to month by the end of the 21st century" if emissions are not curtailed.
Moving beyond average temperatures and earlier blooms, the iconic cherry blossoms face a salty threat, as the Tidal Basin, where they are prominently showcased, is increasingly prone to flooding. The mix of salt and fresh water that spills over the tree roots during these floods could weaken and kill the cherished trees, a situation monitored with concern by the NPS. "The cherry blossoms have progressed to florets visible, the 2nd of 6 stages. Depending on the weather, peak bloom should be around 3 weeks away!" an online post from NPS detailed, as reported by FOX 5 DC.
While environmental challenges loom, the imminent bloom of the cherry blossoms—a gift from Japan over a century ago—remain a herald of spring and an attraction for visitors worldwide. This year's blossoms, once they fill out to peak bloom and 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms have opened, will transform the nation's capital into a postcard-perfect landscape of pink and white, continuing the century-old tradition that has become an international draw and a symbol of the enduring bond between Japan and the United States.
