A sign that spring weather is almost here has arrived: the National Park Service has released their forecast when the blooming cherry blossoms that line the Mall in Washington, DC will reach their peak. According to their forecast, the peak should arrive between March 28 and 31.
The famous DC cherry trees have bloomed as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958) and this year’s March 28 peak keeps things within normal range.
The peak bloom date for DC’s cherry blossoms is defined as the day on which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin are open. However, it is possible an unexpected warm or cold surge of air could delay or speed up the blooming process, which is why the National Park Services provides a range rather than a date.
Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C. designed to commemorate the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington, D.C. Mayor Ozaki donated the trees to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and also celebrate the continued close relationship between the two nations. The annual festival typically draws thousands from around the world to view the stunning spring sight, unofficially kicking off the spring travel season in the Mid Atlantic.
