Cherry blossoms' peak bloom forecast shifts due to average winter temperatures in the DMV

Washington (7News) — The National Park Service announced on Thursday that the forecast for the peak bloom of the beloved Yoshino Cherry Blossoms will be between March 28 and March 31.

The First Alert Weather Team is forecasting a peak bloom between March 26th and April 1st. This slight change is due, in fact. to how the current winter weather season has played out with close to average temperatures, but colder than we've seen over the last several years, which have led to early blooms.

2025 Peak Bloom Predictions

• National Park Service: between March 28 and 31
• Washington Post: between March 23 and 27
• First Alert Weather Team: March 26 and April 1

This winter so far has paralleled the winter of 2016-2017, which had a peak bloom date of March 25th.

The first stage of the cherry blossom's peak bloom is the green bud stage, which usually happens about 20 days before peak. Once stage one occurs, each stage happens about every 3 to 5 days.

While it has been a cold winter so far, it's also been close to average around the DMV. This is likely why the National Park Service has shifted their peak bloom forecast about 10 days after peak bloom in 2024, which was a warmer-than-average winter season.

As the trees begin to bloom, the most ideal weather for them to stay on track to peak bloom in late March will be occasional rain storms with relatively calm winds and mild temperatures.

High temperatures, severe storms, and strong winds could cause the trees to bloom early or damage the trees altogether.

Additionally, since 2024, work has begun on the seawall restoration project, which will completely rebuild the seawall near the Jefferson Memorial and raise it anywhere from 4.75 feet to 5.5 feet. The tidal basin paths will still be open, and there are around 2,500 cherry blossom trees to view as they approach peak bloom.