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Cherry Blossoms: Peak bloom predicted for March 27 to March 31

It's a sign that spring is upon us!

Credit: ZACH GIBSON

The Washington Monument is pictured as cherry blossoms bloom on March 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. / AFP PHOTO / ZACH GIBSON (Photo credit should read ZACH GIBSON/AFP/Getty Images)

The National Park Service is predicting the peak bloom for the cherry blossom trees will be March 27 through March 31.

Peak bloom is defined as the day when 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry trees around the city's Tidal Basin are blossoming. Once peak bloom is reached, the blossoms can remain on the trees from four to 10 days.

PEAK BLOOM UPDATE - We now forecast the start of peak bloom for the cherry blossoms to occur during March 27-31. Colder than forecast temperatures over the last 10 days have shifted the peak from the initial forecast of March 17-20. #BloomWatch #CherryBlossomDC pic.twitter.com/eiVbEG2k2e
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 12, 2018

RELATED: Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar returns to DC for second year

The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off with the opening ceremony on Saturday, March 24. The popular Kite Festival is set for March 31.

And Petalpalooza--previously known as the Fireworks Festival--will take place all day April 7 at The Wharf. Fireworks are set for 8:30 p.m.

The Cherry Blossom Parade will take place April 14.

However, the cherry blossom buds faced a challenge from Mother Nature over the weekend of March 1 when damaging wind gusts blasted through the Mid-Atlantic. Parts of the D.C. area will saw gusts of up to 75 mph.

WUSA9 asked the National Park Service whether the buds would be in trouble with the wicked winds. The short answer they gave us: no.