2019 Cherry Blossoms: Here's When To Expect Peak Bloom In DC

WASHINGTON, DC -- One thing is certain: the Tidal Basin will be bathed in pink at some point this spring. But when? Well, local forecasters have released their prediction this past week.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang and the National Park Service both predict the Yoshino cherry blossoms will peak sometime in the first few days of April -- CWG predicting April 1-5, and NPS going with April 3-6.

Predicting cherry blossom peak bloom is tough because the blossoms are finnicky and respond to weather changes, so that could change in the coming weeks. But the date is close enough that forecasters are willing to make their predictions now.

If the cherry blossoms do peak in early April, that will be a little bit later than the 30-year average of March 31, but right on time for the 1921-2018 average of April 3, CWG says.

Last year, peak bloom happened April 5 after a cold and snowy March.

The blossoms are making good progress. NPS tweeted late Tuesday afternoon that the Yoshino cherry blossoms had reached green bud, the first stage on the way to peak bloom.

Even the cherry trees are bursting with anticipation for tomorrow's peak bloom announcement! The Yoshino trees reached green bud today, the first stage on the way to peak bloom. When will we get there? Tune in tomorrow morning as we announce the predicted date! @CherryBlossFest pic.twitter.com/KDbU4iXOGp
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 5, 2019

"The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April," reads the NPS website. "Extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958)."

The NPS notes that predicting peak bloom is "almost impossible" more than 10 days in advance because weather conditions can have a big effect on the timing.