DC Cherry Blossoms Near Peak Bloom, NPS Says Thursday Is The Moment

The National Park Service now expects Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms to reach peak bloom on Thursday, moving the forecast earlier than officials had projected before. NPS spokesperson Mike Litterst said the trees were close on Wednesday, but the bloom had not yet crossed the threshold.

Litterst said “only about 50% of the trees were in blossom,” while peak bloom is typically declared when about 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees are open. “The forecast tomorrow, there is no question we will call peak bloom tomorrow,” he said.

How the bloom advanced so quickly

The blossoms reached stage five on Monday, when the trees showed puffy white blossoms just before peak bloom. The flowering process began on March 11 and moved from bud to near-peak in less than two weeks.

NPS had earlier projected peak bloom between March 29 and April 1. Warmer temperatures appear to have sped up the timeline and pushed the flowers ahead of schedule.

What weather means for visitors

Weather will matter for how long the display lasts, but officials said the first days of peak bloom should hold up well. Rain and wind are expected later in the week, yet Litterst said the petals should remain strong through Friday.

“These trees are just now blossoming,” Litterst said. “Tomorrow, even into Friday, those petals are going to still be hanging on nice and strong. It won’t ruin the show Friday if we get some rain.”

Where to see the blossoms

The Tidal Basin remains the most popular place to view the cherry blossoms, and heavy crowds are expected once peak bloom begins. Park officials continue to urge visitors to arrive early in the bloom period, before the largest crowds build up.

Visitors will also notice the tidal basin seawall reconstruction project underway. Litterst said the work is ahead of schedule and under budget, although some new walkways will stay closed during peak bloom to protect newly planted trees.

Tips for visiting the Tidal Basin

1. Use Metro instead of driving.
2. Arrive early to avoid the busiest crowds.
3. Expect limited parking near the basin.
4. Check weather updates if rain or wind is forecast.
5. Consider other blossom spots across the DMV, not only the Tidal Basin.

The cherry blossoms remain one of the region’s biggest spring attractions, drawing visitors from across the area for a short but closely watched bloom window. With peak bloom now expected Thursday, the first full days of display are likely to bring some of the largest crowds of the season.