Cherry Blossoms

We're Halfway There: DC Cherry Blossoms Reach Phase 3 of Blooming

The cherry blossoms' peak bloom for 2021 is expected to happen in early April

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It's happening for us, D.C. The cherry trees around the Tidal Basin have entered phase 3 of their blooming cycle, the National Park Service (NPS) announced Monday.

This phase, extension of florets, is the latest step in the Yoshino cherry trees' six blooming phases.

"Halfway there! The cherry blossoms have reached florets extended, the 3rd of 6 stages on the path to peak bloom. Next, we'll see some white color emerge on the Yoshinos," the NPS said Monday morning on Twitter.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper is predicting the cherry blossoms' much-anticipated peak bloom to happen between April 4 and April 9.

With temperatures running cooler than normal, the blossoms are taking a little longer this year to reach peak bloom.

Meteorologist Amelia Draper predicts it will be about another month before the cherry blossoms bloom.

Typically, peak bloom happens in late March to early April. At this time in 2020, the cherry blossoms had already reached it by now. We know — it's been a long year.

Cherry Tree Varieties, by Bloom

Source: Getty Images, Flicker
Credit: Anisa Holmes / NBC Washington

National Cherry Blossom Festival & Bloom Cam

With the National Cherry Blossom Festival now in swing, people will soon be able to watch the blossoms live on the festival's #BloomCam, which will be on the festival's website. 

This year's festival will offer a variety of virtual and outdoor events to allow for social distancing. The festival began Saturday and will run until April 11.

All the Neighborhood Cherry Blossom Trees in the District

Cherry trees on non-federal land in D.C., color-coded by type of tree and sized according to the tree's diameter. Click on the magnifying glass at the bottom of the map to search for your address.

Source: D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) Street Spatial Database (SSD)
Credit: Anisa Holmes / NBC Washington

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