WASHINGTON — The iconic cherry trees around the Tidal Basin officially hit Peak Bloom Sunday afternoon.
The National Park Service initially predicted peak bloom to occur between March 23rd and 26th, but the blossoms moved at near record pace through the six stages.
The average date of peak bloom is April 3 or 4, but since 2018, peak bloom has occurred earlier than average.
- 2023: March 23
- 2022: March 21
- 2021: March 28
- 2020: March 20
- 2019: April 1
Not only is the weather leading up to peak bloom important, but the weather that follows Stage 6 can dictate how long the blossoms stay in bloom. The cherry trees like warm, tranquil weather without rain or wind, but in the wake of a cold front, the WUSA9 Weather Watch team is tracking cooler temperatures and breezy conditions. But there is good news...
While temperatures will get cooler, they won't get cold enough to harm the trees even if they do reach peak bloom in the next few days. Temperatures will bottom out Tuesday morning but still stay about 10 degrees warmer than the threatening threshold for the cherry trees.
When temperatures drop to or below 27 degrees, petals are at risk of frost burn.
While Monday and Tuesday will be breezy, with wind gusts up to 30 mph, the blooms should remain largely OK.
The blossoms do not like gusty winds, but since they will be near-peak or just past-peak, they will still be strong and should be able to withstand the type of wind we're expecting.
If the blossoms had been at peak bloom for a week or so before 30 mph gusts, they would be more susceptible to blowing away.
