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Here are the predicted peak bloom dates for this year’s cherry blossoms Here are the predicted peak bloom dates for this year’s cherry blossoms
(about 4 hours later)
Cherry blossoms aren’t arriving in D.C. as imminently as the start of this week’s spring tease weather would suggest, but they will arrive slightly ahead of schedule. Cherry blossoms aren’t arriving in Washington as imminently as the start of this week’s spring-tease weather would suggest, but they will arrive slightly ahead of schedule.
D.C.’s beloved cherry blossoms are predicted to hit peak bloom between March 31 and April 3, the National Park Service announced Wednesday. The District’s beloved cherry blossoms are predicted to hit peak bloom between March 31 and April 3, the National Park Service announced Wednesday.
Peak bloom refers to the point in time when 70 percent of the cherry blossoms along the tidal basin are in bloom. The average peak bloom date is April 4, meaning the peak this year is expected to be ahead of the historical average. Peak bloom refers to the point when 70 percent of the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin are in bloom. The average peak bloom date is April 4, so this year’s peak is expected to be ahead of the historical average.
Mike Litterst, spokesman for the National Park Service, said the earlier date can be attributed to a relatively mild December and an unseasonably warm beginning of March. A warmer winter typically yields earlier peak bloom dates. Mike Litterst, spokesman for the National Park Service, said the earlier date can be attributed to a relatively mild December and an unseasonably warm start to March. A warmer winter typically leads to earlier peak bloom dates.
“The peak dates we announced take the March forecasts into account,” Litterst said. “If the actual March temperatures are warmer or colder than forecasted, than that would move the peak bloom date.” “The peak dates we announced take the March forecasts into account,” he said. “If the actual March temperatures are warmer or colder than forecasted, then that would move the peak bloom date.”
In 2014 and 2015, peak bloom occurred on April 10 — the latest the city had seen in a decade. In 2014 and 2015, peak bloom occurred April 10 — the latest the city had seen in a decade.
In 2013, peak bloom occurred on April 9. In 2012, it took place on March 20. In 2013, it was April 9. In 2012, it took place March 20.
Japan gave 3,000 cherry trees to the District in 1912, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival — which will run from March 20 to April 17 this year — is an annual celebration of that gift. The festival’s flagship parade will take place on April 16. While many of the original trees have been removed, and others planted in their places, officials estimate that about 100 trees from the original gift still remain. Japan gave 3,000 cherry trees to the District in 1912, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival — which will run from March 20 to April 17 this year — is an annual celebration of that gift. The festival’s flagship parade will take place April 16. Although many of the original trees have been removed and others planted in their places, officials say that about 100 trees from the original gift remain.
“It’s become a living symbol of the friendship between Japan and the United States,” said Kenichiro Sasae, the Japanese ambassador to the United States. “Until someone corrects me, I’ll say that this is the largest celebration of friendship between two countries of anywhere in the world.”“It’s become a living symbol of the friendship between Japan and the United States,” said Kenichiro Sasae, the Japanese ambassador to the United States. “Until someone corrects me, I’ll say that this is the largest celebration of friendship between two countries of anywhere in the world.”
The festival attracts an estimated 1.5 million people to the District each year, and is a boon to the local economy. The festival attracts an estimated 1 1 /2 million people to the District and is a boon to the economy.
In addition to the parade,the festival includes weeks of events like a Blossom Kite Festival, fireworks at the Southwest Waterfront, a Japanese culture street festival and the second-annual Anacostia River Festival to end the celebration. In addition to the parade, the festival includes weeks of events, including kite-flying, fireworks at the Southwest waterfront, a street festival of Japanese culture and the second-annual Anacostia River Festival to end the celebration.
New this year, the Carnegie Library will have a Cherry Blast — a celebration of Japanese pop culture — on April 16 and April 17. The Carnegie Library will have a Cherry Blast — a celebration of Japanese pop culture — on April 16 and April 17, a new event.
“It brings global attention to Washington, D.C.,” said Lauren Vaughan, who represented Mayor Muriel E. Bowser at Wednesday’s announcement. “It brings global attention to Washington, D.C.,” said Lauren Vaughan, who represented Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) at Wednesday’s announcement.