Dave Sweet
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The National Park Service has adjusted their prediction for “peak bloom” of the District’s cherry blossoms. Previously the peak bloom was predicted to be between March 31 and April 3, but it is now between March 18 and March 23.
Spokesperson Mike Litterst released the following statement via press release:
“Driven by this week’s sustained, unseasonably warm temperatures, the projected peak bloom dates for the cherry blossoms has been revised to March 18-23. 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. In response to the earlier peak bloom, the Tidal Basin Welcome Area, located near the paddle boats at Maine Avenue SW and Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, will now be open from March 18 – April 3 (it was previously scheduled from April 2-17).
Additional information on the cherry blossoms, including the bloom watch countdown updated during the bloom period, a history of the cherry trees, and the full schedule of National Park Service cherry blossom events is available online at www.nps.gov/cherry.”
The Cherry Blossom festival takes place in Washington D.C. from March 20 to April 17.
(Photo: CNN)
