Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Dates Predicted for April 3-6

It's really happening!

D.C.'s famed cherry blossoms are expected to bloom April 3-6, the National Park Service (NPS) revealed Wednesday.

Peak bloom is defined as the day when 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open, the NPS says.

The NPS says the most likely times are generally between the last week of March and the first week of April.

What are we looking at for 2019’s cherry blossom season? News4’s Cory Smith reports.

Blossom fans tend to watch the weather carefully, because peak bloom dates and the length of the blooming period vary each year due to weather.

The peak bloom dates are the NPS' best guess at when the blossoms will be in their prime.

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"As we say, if you can tell us exactly what the high temperature's gonna be every day from now until peak bloom, we'll hit it exactly on the nose. But, as your meteorologists' know, it's not an exact science," NPS spokesman Mike Litterst told News4 on Wednesday.

The cherry blossom trees around the Tidal Basin are now in Stage 1 of 6. Storm Team4’s Amelia Draper is outdoors in chilly temps to talk about when she thinks they’ll hit peak bloom. “Temperatures are the number one variable in determining when the blossoms come out — especially daytime highs,” she said.

Extreme temps have caused blooming as early as March 15 (in 1990) and as late as April 18 (back in 1958).

It’s almost cherry blossom season, and D.C.’s popular Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar is back open. Here’s a look at the offerings this year, including floral-themed cocktails, and ramen.

Check out NBC Washington's guide to all things cherry blossom season, including festival events and blossom viewing spots.