Community Corner

2013 Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Dates Revised ... Again

Cool temperatures and buds still closed up tight prompted an adjustment to the 2013 cherry blossoms peak bloom date around the DC Tidal Basin.

We're still about a week away from the peak bloom time of the cherry blossom trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang predicted Tuesday.

"The colder than average March and chilled start to April has slowed the emergence of [DC's] famed cherry blossoms. Peak bloom may not be achieved in the previously forecast April 3-7 window. Our revised window for peak bloom is April 6-10," the Capital Weather Gang stated.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Park Service had not revised its own estimate for the peak bloom, since it adjusted its prediction from late March to early April.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • See: 2013 Cherry Blossom Peak and DC Festival Guide

To make sure you do not miss the peak bloom, the National Park Service has created a live web cam of the cherry blossom trees around the DC Tidal Basin so you can monitor the bloom progress and decide when to visit.

Last month, Patch reported that the National Park Service originally predicted the pale pink blossoms would peak between March 26 and 30—a pleasant change from last year, when, following an unusually warm winter, the cherry blossoms had peaked well before the start of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But, late last month, the National Park Service pushed that peak bloom prediction to April 3 to 6, due to the colder-than-average temperatures in March.

Cherry blossom peak bloom times are not easy to predict. "Moving ahead, warm, sunny days and mild nights could speed up the bloom process, while cloudy days and cold nights could slow it down," The Gang added.

Read more on the latest prediction at The Capital Weather Gang's Post blog.

The revised peak bloom time still will coincide nicely with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which began on March 20. The festival concludes with the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 13.

Many events—including photography workshops, a Pink Tie Party, a Cherry Blossom Food Tour and the parade—are part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Visit the festival's website for a full list of events by date.


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