D.C. Cherry Blossom 2016: Peak Bloom Dates Moved Up

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The year-long wait to see the beautiful cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., just got shorter. The forecast for peak cherry blossom blooms has moved up.

The 2016 cherry blossom peak bloom dates are now March 18 until March 23.

Weather conditions will be perfect for a stroll along the Tidal Basin to admire the blossoms. The National Weather Service forecast for Washington, D.C., calls for mostly sunny skies both Wednesday with a high of 71, and similar conditions on Thursday with a high of 74.

That's nearly two weeks ahead of what had been predicted just a week ago, and almost a month ahead of the peak in 2015: April 10.

It's an unusually early start, but not unprecedented. The earliest peak bloom on record is March 15, 1990.

"Although the National Park Service factored above average March temperatures into the original prediction date, potentially record-setting temperatures, averaging nearly 20 degrees above normal for the next week, have greatly accelerated the bloom watch," according to a National Park Service release.

The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place this year March 20 – April 17.

The festival includes three weeks and four weekends of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit.

The 2016 Festival commemorates the 104th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. Click here for the latest updates, and here for a full list of Festival events.

Upcoming events during the three-week festival include:

Opening Ceremony: 5 – 6:30 p.m. March 26, at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street, NW. Free but advance ticketing is required. There will be a $5 registration fee when tickets are claimed. Tickets are currently sold out, if last-minute spaces are available, walk-ins will be accepted at 4:45 PM on the day of the event.

Family Day: Free activities from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. March 26 at the National Building Museum. Activities include: folding origami masterpieces, designing a memorial for the National Mall, constructing a tatebanko diorama, meeting DuAro (Kawasaki’s robot), trying on traditional Japanese clothing and learning more about the National Park Service’s Centennial celebration.

Blossom Kite Festival: Join us on April 2 for the Blossom Kite Festival. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of kite flying on the National Mall.

Waterfront Fireworks Festival: Enjoy live music and entertainment for all ages preceding the Fireworks Show at 8:30 p.m. on April 9.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade: 10 a.m. to noon on April 16 along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets, NW. Grandstand seating tickets are $20. Standing along the parade route from Constitution Avenue between 9th and 15th streets, NW is FREE and open to the public. Arrive early for the best views.

Sakura Matsuri—Japanese Street Festival: Set for Saturday, April 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Held the same day as the parade, this rain-or-shine event brings performances to four stages. The new location for 2016 is the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood at M Street and New Jersey Avenue SE, across the street from the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station.

You can support the work that goes into the festival byordering merchandise online.

Here's more about the science behind the cherry blossom peak bloom dates, according to the National Park Service:

• The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70 percent of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) blossoms are open. Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions. The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April.
• The Yoshino trees typically bloom for a period of several days. The length of the blooming period depends on weather conditions. Cool, calm weather can extend the length of the bloom, and a rainy, windy day can bring an abrupt end to the ephemeral blossoms. A late frost can prevent the trees from blooming at all.
• Forecasting peak bloom is almost impossible more than 10 days in advance. The cherry trees' blossom development is dependent on weather conditions, which are inherently variable. National Park Service horticulturists monitor bud development and report the status of the blossoms.

See more info.

»Photos courtesy of the National Park Service