When will the cherry blossoms peak in Washington this spring?

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The peak bloom dates for the iconic cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. will be toward the end of March, the National Park Service announced on Thursday.

The NPS defines the peak bloom date as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry trees, one of about a dozen varieties of cherry trees along the National Mall, have blossomed.

This year, this peak burst of baby pink blooms is expected to occur from March 28-31.

How the peak bloom dates are determined

To determine the peak bloom dates, the NPS – the stewards of the cherry trees along the National Mall and Tidal Basin – look at three factors, according to spokesperson Mike Litterst. 

One factor is the historical record, which allows the NPS to see trends in how past blooms occurred under similar circumstances. 

Another factor is the weather forecast, particularly whether temperatures will be above- or below-average. 

The third factor involves two "indicator trees," which are cherry trees that bloom a little earlier than the others. 

"If they're out early, we suspect the rest will be out early," Litterst said. "Mother Nature can give us some hints on her own that way."

How the weather will affect the cherry blossoms

The peak bloom dates for 2025 are a few days earlier than the historical average peak bloom date of around April 3.

Although Washington, D.C. was hit with multiple snowstorms this winter – with one dropping over 7 inches of snow in one day in early January and another 5-7 inches in early February, temperatures since mid-January have been close to average, overall.  A milder winter typically leads to earlier blooms, while multiple cold snaps can delay their appearance.

In fact, exceptionally warm temperatures in 1990 led to the earliest peak bloom on record, which occurred on March 15, the NPS said. Then, in 1958, exceptionally cold temperatures pushed the bloom to April 18 – about two weeks later than the historical average peak bloom date and the latest peak bloom date on record.

Litterst said that, due to a couple of cold snaps during the winter in Washington, D.C., it's not surprising that peak bloom this spring will be several days later than last year's peak bloom.

The next few weeks should bring mild temperatures to the nation's capital as spring and the cherry blossom season approach, which is good because cherry blossoms can sustain damage in any early spring cold snaps. The NPS reports that damage begins when temperatures drop below 27 degrees with significant damage possible once it chills below 24 degrees. 

On the flipside, temperatures that are too warm could mean a short-lived peak bloom. Litterst noted that the cherry blossoms are the precursors to the cherry trees growing their leaves. 

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"If we get a warm spell once the blossoms are out, we're going to rush right through peak bloom, right into the leaves," he said.

If the cherry blossoms see cool temperatures that remain above 27 degrees – while they are spared from rain, high winds and other severe weather – that could mean their petals will remain intact, and everyone can enjoy the cherry blossoms for a longer time. 

Removing iconic cherry trees for Tidal Basin repairs

As cherry blossoms make their grand entrance this spring, for some of the cherry trees on the National Mall, this may be the last year when they will bloom. 

The NPS is planning to remove at least 150 cherry trees as they make repairs around the nearby Tidal Basin, a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. 

Created in the 19th century, the Tidal Basin has begun to degrade in recent years due to several factors, such as over a foot of sea level rise and record crowds that visit the cherry trees that line its shores, the NPS said. 

Altogether, those factors lead to water pouring over parts of the seawalls during normal high tides, and at times flooding areas where cherry trees grow. 

"Despite various repairs over the decades, the seawalls are no longer structurally sound, posing a threat to visitor safety and the historic landscape, including the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin," the NPS said.

The history of cherry blossoms in Washington

The history of D.C.'s cherry trees dates back to the late 19th century, according to Ambassador John Malott, advisor to the National Cherry Blossom Festival and past president of the Japan America Society of Washington, D.C. 

During this time, Malott said influential Washington power players such as U.S. Department of Agriculture official David Fairchild, National Geographic dispatch Eliza Scidmore and First Lady Helen Taft promoted the planting of Japanese cherry trees in the nation's capital. 

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As interest in bringing cherry trees grew, Japanese biochemist Jokichi Takamine worked with the Japanese government to give 6,000 Yoshino cherry trees to the U.S., which were then divided between Washington and New York City.

The cherry trees have continued to grow in the nation's capital, inspiring the launch of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which attracts more than 1.5 million visitors every year.