Peak bloom lasted just a couple days this year. Gusty thunderstorms blew petals off many of the famed cherry blossom trees that line the Tidal Basin in D.C. on Monday night.
The cherry blossom trees had reached peak bloom on Friday, March 28.
When the weather cooperates, the final stage of the blossom’s bloom cycle can last about a week.
The peak bloom period happens when 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open.
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The National Park Service was on time with its prediction this year, having previously projected the cherry trees would likely be looking their best from March 28 to 31.
Check out the latest updates and keep up with their progress below.
'Still really pretty': DC locals soak in what's left of the cherry blossoms
Along the Tidal Basin, white and pink petals from the famed cherry blossom trees litter the sidewalk on Wednesday morning.
The beloved trees were blown around by a powerful storm earlier this week; many petals were knocked off and peak bloom came to a screeching halt.
But some D.C. locals are soaking in what’s left of the cherry blossoms.
“Some of the blooms are on the ground, but it’s still really pretty,” Cassie Smith told WTOP’s Luke Lukert.
Abby Perkins came out for peak bloom at sunrise on Saturday. But she decided to return to the Tidal Basin Wednesday when it would be less crowded.
“I wanted to soak it up a little bit more,” Perkins told WTOP.
WTOP’s Luke Lukert contributed to this post.
Peak bloom is cut short by thunderstorms
Thunderstorms brought heavy rain and blustery winds to the D.C. area Monday night, damaging the famed cherry blossoms and cutting off their peak bloom period.
The National Park Service said peak bloom ended Tuesday.
DC's cherry blossom trees reach peak bloom status
The District’s cherry blossom trees reached peak bloom status on Friday and are officially ready for their close-up, according to the National Park Service.
That puts the trees blooming right on time with the National Park Service’s projection made a month ago.
The trees’ bloom has been highly anticipated with more than a million visitors expected to gather in D.C. for a chance to enjoy the iconic blossoms.
Anticipation builds for peak bloom as DC's blossoms start to show
The cherry trees along the Tidal Basin are just one stage away from peak bloom.
Puffy white blossoms on the trees are peaking through Sunday, according to the National Park Service. That milestone means the trees are at stage 5 of 6.
The park service projected the trees could reach peak bloom dates as early as Friday.
National Cherry Blossom Festival underway as visitors flock to Tidal Basin
With the National Cherry Blossom Festival underway, the Tidal Basin area is packed full with visitors looking to get a close-up view of the D.C. region’s cherry blossom trees.
Reporting from the scene, WTOP’s Grace Newton spoke with some visitors who sought to get a glimpse of the trees.
“They’re they’re not at full peak yet. But we know it’s a gamble coming out here, because they don’t last very long,” said Mary, a visitor from Chicago who had seeing the trees on her bucket list.
For area resident Donna Phelps, “the cherry blossom time of year is really special time in D.C.”
Full peak at the Tidal Basin isn’t forecasted to take place until the last few days of March.
Some cherry trees in Va. in bloom
The cherry trees are making progress around the D.C. region!
At Long Bridge Park in Arlington, these blossoms are pretty in pink.
The expected peak bloom dates are between March 28-31.
Peduncle elongation achieved — Cherry trees race toward peak bloom
The National Park Service said the District’s cherry trees have reached peduncle elongation Thursday, calling it the “community’s favorite stage” on their way to peak bloom.
The trees are now at stage four of six, according to a social media post from the park service.
The trees marked their latest milestone on Thursday afternoon, just one day after reaching the halfway point of their journey to peak bloom.
Cherry blossom-themed high tea, cocktails and other treats in the DC area
Looking for delicious treats to celebrate cherry blossom season? From high tea to desserts and beyond, here are some of the delightful and crave-worthy cherry blossom foods you can find in the D.C. area.
Halfway to peak bloom
The cherry trees at D.C.’s Tidal Basin are halfway to peak bloom as the National Park Service says their florets extended Wednesday.
The Yoshino cherry trees are at the third of six stages in their bloom cycle.
Experts say weather can impact how quickly the trees bloom. Wednesday’s update from the park service comes as the region is experiencing warm temperatures with highs in the 70s and sunny skies.
Where to celebrate cherry blossom season in the DC area
The time has come once again for the springtime spectacle: D.C.’s cherry blossoms. As part of this pink and pretty season, the National Cherry Blossom Festival hits the ground running with events happening all across the area — and others are joining in on the fun as well.
“We’re able to present some tremendous programming that is free and accessible to the public,” said Lillian Iversen, vice president of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. “And the magic of the season can present by coming to these events that there’s no barrier to participation.”
Cherry trees reach 2nd stage on way to peak bloom
You can see florets on the Yoshino cherry trees in the District, signaling the trees have reached the second stage of six on their way toward peak bloom.
The National Park Service posted on Sunday afternoon about the milestone and noted that weather continues to play into how quickly the trees develop.
The park service has projected that the trees will reach peak bloom in about two weeks.
1st step of cherry blossoms' journey to peak bloom
Green buds popped up on the Yoshino cherry trees along the Tidal Basin in D.C., marking the first of six stages on the journey to peak bloom.
The National Park Service posted about the “small green buds” on social media Tuesday morning.
