Warm Winter Leads to Potential Early Cherry Blossom Bloom

The National Park Service plans to announce their initial prediction for cherry blossom blooms this Wednesday. Current buds indicate the blossoms will reach peak bloom during mid-March, according to Cherry Blossom Watch.

The blossoms are expected to bloom early this year, due to a warmer-than-normal winter. As of Feb. 28, the indicator trees have reached green bud stages, which is the first stage of blooming after the trees awake from winter dormancy, according to the National Parks Service.

All signs indicate an early cherry blossom bloom this year so long as the weather stays constant. A sustained March cold spell push back the anticipated peak blossom date.

In 2018, the trees reached the green bud stage on Feb. 24, but due to a cold spell did not reach peak bloom until April 5.

Mild winter temperature make for eager cherry blossoms – the Yoshino trees have reached green bud, the first of six stages that culminates in peak bloom! Six days earlier than last year (though later than 2017 and 2018). #CherryBlossom #BloomWatch #ItIsOn pic.twitter.com/q508D2vp3a

— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) February 28, 2020

The National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from March 20 to April 12, with events including the Blossom Kite Festival, fireworks, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade.

The festival is scheduled around the average peak bloom date. The festival spans several weeks, increasing the likelihood that peak bloom will fall within this time.

You can find more information about the festival here: https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

About Grace Mottley

Grace Mottley was a spring 2020 intern for Montgomery Community Media. At the time, she was studying at the University of Maryland, where she is majoring in multi-platform journalism.

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