DC’s iconic cherry blossoms forecast to reach latest peak bloom since 2018 after very cold winter

The Washington, D.C., cherry blossoms are forecast to reach their latest peak bloom since 2018 after an abnormally cold winter, according to the Capital Weather Gang.The nation’s capital experienced the chilliest winter in more than 20 years, after three straight months all ended colder than normal, The Washington Post reported.
However, abnormally warm weather in the coming week should jump-start the blossoms’ development, with green buds beginning to grow. But in mid-March, cooler-than-expected temperatures may slow the cherry trees’ progression through the five bud stages before peak bloom.
The peak bloom date for the Tidal Basin’s Yoshino trees is predicted to be between April 3 and 7, which would be the latest since 2018, when it was on April 5, per the Capital Weather Gang. If the trees’ blossoms peak even later, then they could surpass 2015, which was on April 10.
The trees’ peak bloom occurred on March 28 last year.
Over the last 100 years, the blossoms’ average peak has shifted about a week earlier, from April 4 to March 29. Peak bloom has occurred before March 29 for the last six years.
Since records started in 1921, the earliest peak bloom was on March 15, 1990, while the latest was April 18, 1958.
In 1912, Japan gave the U.S. 3,020 trees as a gift to symbolize the countries’ enduring friendship and to mark the arrival of spring.
The projected peak bloom window coincides with the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, which will be March 20 to April 12.

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