After Mother Nature ‘put us through the wringer,’ peak bloom is here

The cherry blossoms that line the Tidal Basin in D.C. reached peak bloom April 5, 2018 the National Park Service announced. (Courtesy National Park Service) — The cherry blossoms that line the Tidal Basin in D.C. reached peak bloom April 5, the National Park Service announced. (Courtesy National Park Service)

. @CherryBlossFest dance with @BluOpal_M pic.twitter.com/Em4XqC0ghe
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) April 2, 2018

(Courtesy National Park Service)

Cherry blossoms bloom outside Nationals Park Thursday ahead of the Nats' home opener against the New York Mets. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli) — Cherry blossoms bloom outside Nationals Park Thursday ahead of the Nats’ home opener against the New York Mets. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)

The cherry blossoms reached the "puffy white" stage, which is the final stage before peak bloom, on Sunday April 1, 2018. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart) — The cherry blossoms reached the “puffy white” stage, which is the final stage before peak bloom, on Sunday April 1, 2018. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)

About 20 percent of the Yoshino cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin are now at full blossom, meaning the official bloom period has begun. Peak bloom -- when 70 percent of trees are at full bloom -- is projected for April 5-8. (Courtesy National Park Service) — About 20 percent of the Yoshino cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin hit full blossom by April 3, 2018. (Courtesy National Park Service)

People were enjoying Easter Sunday along the Tidal Basin, where the cherry blossoms have begun turning pink and vibrant. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart) — People enjoyed Easter Sunday along the Tidal Basin, where the cherry blossoms had begun turning pink and vibrant. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)

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WASHINGTON — After cold snaps, March snow showers and gusty April winds, cherry blossom peak bloom is finally here.

About 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin in D.C. are now in full bloom, the National Park Service said.

Mother Nature “put us through the wringer this year — roller coaster temps, wind storms, late-season snow — but she always comes through!” the park service tweeted Thursday.

The best time to view the iconic pink and white blossoms is over the next four to seven days, the National Park Service said.

However, under certain conditions the trees can hold their blossoms for up to two weeks. Continued cool temperatures would actually be beneficial to blossom-viewing because the chilly temps will slow the transition from flowers to leaves, park service spokesman Mike Litterst said in a statement.

The peak bloom date of April 5 is two days later than the average date of April 3. Last year, the cherry blossoms reached peak bloom on March 25.

This year’s peak bloom date shifted around over the past month. Initially projected for March 17-20, it was pushed back twice because of colder-than-average spring temperatures.