Cherry Blossoms Are Shaping Up to Be Late Bloomers

Cherry blossoms have entered their first two phases this year later than any time in the past decade

The promise of spring continues to taunt us. We have a couple of nice days, then a couple of gray, shivery ones. Rinse. Repeat.

All of which brings us to plead: Where are our cherry blossoms?

Turns out that they've been progressing quietly, with D.C.'s cherry trees entering the second of their six phases Wednesday. But they've entered their first two phases this year later than any time in the past decade.

How late? The trees entered Phase 1, the "green buds" phase, on March 18 this year, two days later than last year. That's the latest in the past decade, according to the National Park Service (NPS) website.

And Phase 2 took even longer. The trees kicked off their "florets visible" phase Wednesday, a solid nine days later than last year -- and definitely the record holder for the past decade.

There are still three more phases between now and long-awaited peak bloom, which is predicted for April 11-14. However, the NPS warns that forecasting peak bloom is almost impossible more than 10 days out.

Hang in there, everyone.

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