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DC Cherry Blossoms: 2024 peak bloom prediction dates revealed
The 2024 peak bloom prediction dates for the thousands of Japanese cherry blossom trees surrounding Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin and National Mall have been revealed!
WASHINGTON - The 2024 peak bloom prediction dates for the thousands of Japanese cherry blossom trees surrounding Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin and National Mall have been revealed!
The National Park Service announced that the trees would reach peak bloom from March 23-26.
Jeff Reinbold, National Park Service superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, made the much anticipated announcement on Thursday. "Determining the dates for peak bloom is one of the great puzzles in the nation’s capital," Reinbold said, adding that long-term forecasts, historical records and the appearance of the trees were all factors considered when trying to determine when the blooms would emerge.
Another factor in the equation has been the unusually warm winters the D.C. region has seen in recent years, prompting the cherry blossoms to reach their flowery peak earlier than expected.
"Emerging from the warmest January on record, this has been a particularly puzzling year to read the trees and established date for peak bloom," Reinbold admitted.
Reinbold said the cherry trees never reached dormancy, which is used to help determine when the blooms will emerge. He also said the cherry blossom indicator tree, a special tree that reliably blooms ahead of the other cherry blossoms around D.C.'s Tidal Basin, is showing several phases of blooms reflecting the up-and-down temperatures the area has seen.
Peak bloom is defined as when 70% of the blossoms have opened, revealing the magnificent pink and white blossoms. It typically occurs between the last week of March and the first week of April.
READ MORE: Best spots to see cherry blossoms in DC -- besides the Tidal Basin
The Jefferson Memorial is framed by cherry blossoms in bloom as the sun rises, on the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC on March 23, 2022. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) FILE: D.C.’s cherry blossom trees around the Tidal Basin WASHINGTON, USA - APRIL 06: Cherry trees are in full bloom as visitors enjoy cherry blossoms during 'National Cherry Blossom Festival ' at Tidal Basin on April 6, 2019 in Washington, DC, United States. The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates 3,000 cherry trees arrived in Washington in 1912 after coordination between the governments of United States and Japan. (Photo by Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) UNITED STATES - March 30: Visitors gather to watch the sunrise under blooming Japanese cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin in Washington on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. The 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the original gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington in 1912. (Photo by Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) D.C.'s cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin have reached peak bloom a few days early after unseasonably warm weather (National Park Service) Cherry Blossom trees bloom around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, April 4, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: Despite government warnings to maintain 'social distancing' and avoid crowds due to the threat of the novel coronavirus, tourists continue to visit the Tidal Basin as peak bloom for the cherry trees approaches March 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and related events were cancelled in response to the COVID-19, which has sickened more than 7000 people and left 112 dead so far in the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: Normally crowded shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of visitors this time of year, the path under the cherry trees along the Tidal Basin is nearly empty as peak bloom approaches March 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and related events were cancelled in response to the COVID-19, which has sickened more than 7000 people and left 112 dead so far in the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) The city will celebrate the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20 to April 14. Fun activities include a kite festival, a cherry blossom 5K and a parade.
The District’s cherry blossoms date back over 111 years to an original 1912 gift of 3,000 trees from the mayor of Tokyo.