Chilly weather doesn’t affect peak bloom dates

WASHINGTON — The cold snap over the weekend did not affect when the cherry blossoms will bloom along the Tidal Basin.

“Although tonight’s forecast is for near-freezing temperatures, the peak bloom period is still expected to begin on or about March 23,” says National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst in an email to WTOP.

He says once peak bloom is reached, the blossoms are expected to remain on the trees for four to 10 days.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival started Sunday and runs through April 17, 2016.

Colleen Kelleher

Colleen Kelleher is an award-winning journalist who has been with WTOP since 1996. Kelleher joined WTOP as the afternoon radio writer and night and weekend editor and made the move to WTOP.com in 2001. Now she works early mornings as the site's Senior Digital Editor.

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