News

Peak Bloom Is Here, the 2nd Earliest on Record

Make your way to the Tidal Basin to see the blossoms at their most stunning.

By Maggie Roth March 18, 2024 at 9:37 am

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here: The cherry blossoms hit peak bloom on Sunday, March 17, the National Park Service announced.

“PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! Did we say PEAK BLOOM?! The cherry blossoms are popping! Gorgeous clouds of white and pink blossoms ring the Tidal Basin, creating a splendid spring spectacle. Come enjoy the beauty,” the National Mall and Memorial Parks said in a Facebook post.

This year’s peak bloom arrived in near-record time. This is the second earliest peak, tied with 2000, according to The Washington Post. 1990 holds the record for earliest bloom, with a peak on March 15. The latest peak bloom on record was April 18, 1958.

Peak bloom is defined as the time when 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open. NPS originally predicted that the peak would occur between March 23 and 26, but warm temperatures accelerated the bloom.

The trees will be in bloom for a period of “several days to up to two weeks,” according to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and weather will have an impact on the longevity of the blooms. “Cool, calm weather can extend the length of the bloom, and a rainy, windy day can bring an abrupt end to the ephemeral blossoms,” according to the National Park Service.

Peak arrived just in time for the annual festival, which will run from March 20 to April 14, with events like the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival on April 13, the Blossom Kite Festival on March 30, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 13.

Before you make the trek to the Tidal Basin, study up on the types of cherry trees — Yoshino and Kwanzan are the most common type in DC. Remember to never pick cherry blossoms or try to climb the trees.

If you want to see the blooms but can’t make it into the city just yet, you can see the trees in real time with the live Bloom Cam.

Maggie Roth

Associate Editor

Maggie Roth is the associate editor for Northern Virginia Magazine, where she covers news and culture in the NoVA area. Originally from New Jersey, she is a graduate of George Mason University and joined the magazine in 2021 as an editorial intern.