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Photos: 2019 cherry blossoms

April 1, 2019, 8:56 PM

Seen in this 2019 photo, the Washington Monument is positioned for some great shots on the eastern half of the Tidal Basin on the approach to the Jefferson Memorial. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

It’s cherry blossom season in the nation’s capital, with pink and white flowers declaring an end to winter with a burst of color.

Be sure to read WTOP’s guide to the National Cherry Blossom Festival before heading over.

See photos of the blossoms below, and share your own by tweeting @WTOP, emailing talkback@wtop.com, or through the WTOP apps for Apple and Android phones.

jefferson memorial
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
A cherry blossom branch in bloom is seen in front of the Jefferson Memorial on March 30. Though typically one of D.C.'s more popular monuments, the Jefferson Memorial was especially packed Sunday evening — in this photo, crowds are visible on the memorial's north-facing front. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A cherry blossom branch in bloom is seen in front of the Jefferson Memorial on March 30. Though typically one of D.C.’s more popular monuments, the Jefferson Memorial was especially packed Sunday evening — in this photo, crowds are visible on the memorial’s north-facing front. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
The Jefferson Memorial is seen from the eastern shore of the Tidal Basin on March 30. Though not the only place to take in the blossoms, the Tidal Basin is by far the most popular — and with excellent weather on Sunday evening, parts of the area were standing room only. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
A visitor to the cherry blossom festival is seen on March 30, two days before the peak bloom forecast by the National Park Service. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A visitor to the cherry blossom festival is seen on March 30, two days before the peak bloom forecast by the National Park Service. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
A cluster of cherry blossoms in full bloom on March 30. Only two days prior, on March 28 many of the Japanese cherry tree blossoms along the Tidal Basin had not yet unfurled. The arrival of warm, sunny weather no doubt contributed to a rapid burst of color in the nation's capital — and with it, a lot of people. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A cluster of cherry blossoms in full bloom on March 30. Only two days prior, on March 28 many of the Japanese cherry tree blossoms along the Tidal Basin had not yet unfurled. The arrival of warm, sunny weather no doubt contributed to a rapid burst of color in the nation’s capital — and with it, a lot of people. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
A Southwest Airlines flight passes along the Potomac River on the descent to nearby Reagan National Airport on March 30. Though the approach to D.C.'s Reagan Airport is spectacular any time of year, cherry blossom season can make for some particularly dramatic views on approach. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A Southwest Airlines flight passes along the Potomac River on the descent to nearby Reagan National Airport on March 30. Though the approach to D.C.’s Reagan Airport is spectacular any time of year, cherry blossom season can make for some particularly dramatic views on approach. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
A large group of people take in the blossoms on the TIdal Basin shoreline runnig parallel to Maine Avenue, SW on March 30. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A large group of people take in the blossoms on the TIdal Basin shoreline runnig parallel to Maine Avenue, SW on March 30. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
Cherry blossoms are seen over the sun's reflection March 30 on the Tidal Basin. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Cherry blossoms are seen over the sun’s reflection March 30 on the Tidal Basin. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
Tourists compete for a glimpse of the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin on March 30. On what may turn out to be the busiest day for blossom tourism, parts of the shore walk along Maine Avenue, SW were effectively standing room only. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Tourists compete for a glimpse of the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin on March 30. On what may turn out to be the busiest day for blossom tourism, parts of the shore walk along Maine Avenue, SW were effectively standing room only. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
Kites fly over the National Mall on March 30. The yearly kite festival brings thousands to the Mall on its own — and 2019's festival coincided with the days leading up to peak bloom for the cherry blossoms, itself one of D.C.'s most popular days for tourists. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Kites fly over the National Mall on March 30. The yearly kite festival brings thousands to the Mall on its own — and 2019’s festival coincided with the days leading up to peak bloom for the cherry blossoms, itself one of D.C.’s most popular days for tourists. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
The Smithsonian Metro station faces an overflow of people heading out from the cherry blossom festival on the evening of March 30. Scenes like this might come to no surprise for residents of the D.C. area with experience on Metro during high-volume events, but non-functional escalators contributed to a line stretching out this station and around the block. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Smithsonian Metro station faces an overflow of people heading out from the cherry blossom festival on the evening of March 30. Scenes like this might come to no surprise for residents of the D.C. area with experience on Metro during high-volume events, but non-functional escalators contributed to a line stretching out this station and around the block. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
The cherry blossoms in D.C. are nearing peak bloom. (Courtesy Terry Cepaitis)
Courtesy Terry Cepaitis
Seen in this 2019 photo, the Washington Monument is positioned for some great shots on the eastern half of the Tidal Basin on the approach to the Jefferson Memorial. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Washington Monument is perfectly positioned for some great shots on the eastern half of the Tidal Basin on the approach to the Jefferson Memorial. If you have a camera with a removable lens, dial in a narrow depth of field for a blurred background effect. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
The National Park Service defines “peak bloom” as the day when 70 percent of the Yoshino Cherry’s flowers are open. On March 28, just a few flowers were in full bloom — the majority of the buds were still closed, seen here lower-left. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The National Park Service defines “peak bloom” as the day when 70 percent of the Yoshino Cherry’s flowers are open. On March 28, just a few flowers were in full bloom — the majority of the buds were still closed, seen here on the lower-left. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
On March 28, three days before the forecast full bloom on April 1, all trees were fully loaded with reddish-pink buds — and a few early blooms, like these. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
On March 28, three days before the forecast full bloom on April 1, all trees were fully loaded with reddish-pink buds — and a few early blooms, like these. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
Some trees have already reached the final stage of the blooming process, but peak bloom is projected to be April 1-3. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Some trees have already reached the final stage of the blooming process, but peak bloom is projected to be April 1-3. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
The Jefferson Memorial and a branch full of florets above the Tidal Basin on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Jefferson Memorial and a branch full of florets above the Tidal Basin on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
People fly kites near the Washington Monument on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
People fly kites near the Washington Monument on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
The Washington Monument towers above white and pink cherry trees on the National Mall. The eastern shore of the Tidal Basin makes for excellent views of the monument with cherry trees in the foreground. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Washington Monument towers above white and pink cherry trees on the National Mall. The eastern shore of the Tidal Basin makes for excellent views of the monument with cherry trees in the foreground. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
People take advantage of the beautiful spring weather on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
People take advantage of the beautiful spring weather on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
A cluster of white cherry blossoms in bloom on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A cluster of white cherry blossoms in bloom is seen on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
Crowds gather to see the kites and cherry blossoms on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Crowds gather to see the kites and cherry blossoms on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
Paddle boats are a popular tourist attraction on the Tidal Basin. Even though crowds were light on March 28 — the middle of the work week — early arrivals to the Cherry Blossom Festival were enjoying a quite morning on the water. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Paddle boats are a popular tourist attraction on the Tidal Basin. Even though crowds were light on March 28 — the middle of the work week — early arrivals to the Cherry Blossom Festival were enjoying a quite morning on the water. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
Visitors and D.C. locals alike fly kites and take in the sites of the cherry blossoms in front of the Washington Monument.(WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Visitors and D.C. locals alike fly kites and take in the sites of the cherry blossoms in front of the Washington Monument. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
Cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin near the Cherry Blossom Festival’s main stage on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin near the Cherry Blossom Festival’s main stage are ready to pop on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
A kite is readied for liftoff on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
A kite is readied for liftoff on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
A tree full of cherry blossom florets ready to burst on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Washington Monument is seen behind a tree full of cherry blossom florets ready to burst on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
People rest under the cherry blossoms on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
People rest under the cherry blossoms on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
Cherry blossoms in their final stages before opening on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Cherry blossoms are in their final stages before opening on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
A cluster of cherry blossoms hovers over the Tidal Basin on Thursday, with only a few flowers in bloom — and more to follow in a matter of days. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A cluster of cherry blossoms hovers over the Tidal Basin on Thursday, with only a few flowers in bloom — and more to follow in a matter of days. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
One of the hundreds of cherry trees encircling the Tidal Basin just before peak bloom on March 28 (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
One of the hundreds of cherry trees encircling the Tidal Basin shows its flowers just before peak bloom. This photo was taken March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
Branches with the Jefferson Memorial in the backdrop on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Branches with the Jefferson Memorial in the backdrop are seen on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
The Cherry Blossom Festival hadn’t started its billing yet, but the paddle boats were already a popular activity for early arrivals to the see the blossoms. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Cherry Blossom Festival hadn’t started its billing yet, but the paddle boats were already a popular activity for early arrivals to the see the blossoms. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
The Cherry Blossom Festival’s main stage,. The annual festival features musicians, art exhibitions and parades for weeks in late March through early April. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Cherry Blossom Festival’s main stage is seen. The annual festival features musicians, art exhibitions and parades for weeks in late March through early April. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez
The cherry trees reached peak bloom at the Tidal Basin on Monday, April 1. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
The cherry trees reached peak bloom at the Tidal Basin on Monday, April 1. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
WTOP/Dave Dildine
The cherry trees around the Tidal Basin achieved peak bloom on a brisk Monday, April 1, 2019. Winds gusted over 30 miles per hour, ruffling the water of the Tidal Basin. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
The cherry trees around the Tidal Basin achieved peak bloom on a brisk Monday, April 1, 2019. Winds gusted over 30 miles per hour, ruffling the water of the Tidal Basin. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
WTOP/Dave Dildine
The cherry trees reached peak bloom at the Tidal Basin on Monday, April 1. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
The cherry trees reached peak bloom at the Tidal Basin on Monday, April 1. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
WTOP/Dave Dildine
Cherry blossoms sway in brisk winds
Cherry blossoms sway in the brisk winds Monday. The flags surrounding the Tidal Basin whip in the wind. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
WTOP/Dave Dildine
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jefferson memorial
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Tourists take in the peak bloom of cherry blossoms Monday afternoon around the Jefferson Memorial. (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
A cherry blossom branch in bloom is seen in front of the Jefferson Memorial on March 30. Though typically one of D.C.'s more popular monuments, the Jefferson Memorial was especially packed Sunday evening — in this photo, crowds are visible on the memorial's north-facing front. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A visitor to the cherry blossom festival is seen on March 30, two days before the peak bloom forecast by the National Park Service. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A cluster of cherry blossoms in full bloom on March 30. Only two days prior, on March 28 many of the Japanese cherry tree blossoms along the Tidal Basin had not yet unfurled. The arrival of warm, sunny weather no doubt contributed to a rapid burst of color in the nation's capital — and with it, a lot of people. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A Southwest Airlines flight passes along the Potomac River on the descent to nearby Reagan National Airport on March 30. Though the approach to D.C.'s Reagan Airport is spectacular any time of year, cherry blossom season can make for some particularly dramatic views on approach. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A large group of people take in the blossoms on the TIdal Basin shoreline runnig parallel to Maine Avenue, SW on March 30. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Cherry blossoms are seen over the sun's reflection March 30 on the Tidal Basin. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Tourists compete for a glimpse of the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin on March 30. On what may turn out to be the busiest day for blossom tourism, parts of the shore walk along Maine Avenue, SW were effectively standing room only. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Kites fly over the National Mall on March 30. The yearly kite festival brings thousands to the Mall on its own — and 2019's festival coincided with the days leading up to peak bloom for the cherry blossoms, itself one of D.C.'s most popular days for tourists. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Smithsonian Metro station faces an overflow of people heading out from the cherry blossom festival on the evening of March 30. Scenes like this might come to no surprise for residents of the D.C. area with experience on Metro during high-volume events, but non-functional escalators contributed to a line stretching out this station and around the block. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Seen in this 2019 photo, the Washington Monument is positioned for some great shots on the eastern half of the Tidal Basin on the approach to the Jefferson Memorial. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The National Park Service defines “peak bloom” as the day when 70 percent of the Yoshino Cherry’s flowers are open. On March 28, just a few flowers were in full bloom — the majority of the buds were still closed, seen here lower-left. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
On March 28, three days before the forecast full bloom on April 1, all trees were fully loaded with reddish-pink buds — and a few early blooms, like these. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Some trees have already reached the final stage of the blooming process, but peak bloom is projected to be April 1-3. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
The Jefferson Memorial and a branch full of florets above the Tidal Basin on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
People fly kites near the Washington Monument on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
The Washington Monument towers above white and pink cherry trees on the National Mall. The eastern shore of the Tidal Basin makes for excellent views of the monument with cherry trees in the foreground. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
People take advantage of the beautiful spring weather on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
A cluster of white cherry blossoms in bloom on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Crowds gather to see the kites and cherry blossoms on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Paddle boats are a popular tourist attraction on the Tidal Basin. Even though crowds were light on March 28 — the middle of the work week — early arrivals to the Cherry Blossom Festival were enjoying a quite morning on the water. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Visitors and D.C. locals alike fly kites and take in the sites of the cherry blossoms in front of the Washington Monument.(WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin near the Cherry Blossom Festival’s main stage on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A kite is readied for liftoff on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
A tree full of cherry blossom florets ready to burst on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
People rest under the cherry blossoms on March 30, 2019. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Cherry blossoms in their final stages before opening on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A cluster of cherry blossoms hovers over the Tidal Basin on Thursday, with only a few flowers in bloom — and more to follow in a matter of days. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
One of the hundreds of cherry trees encircling the Tidal Basin just before peak bloom on March 28 (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
Branches with the Jefferson Memorial in the backdrop on March 28. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Cherry Blossom Festival hadn’t started its billing yet, but the paddle boats were already a popular activity for early arrivals to the see the blossoms. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The Cherry Blossom Festival’s main stage,. The annual festival features musicians, art exhibitions and parades for weeks in late March through early April. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
The cherry trees reached peak bloom at the Tidal Basin on Monday, April 1. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
The cherry trees around the Tidal Basin achieved peak bloom on a brisk Monday, April 1, 2019. Winds gusted over 30 miles per hour, ruffling the water of the Tidal Basin. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
The cherry trees reached peak bloom at the Tidal Basin on Monday, April 1. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
Cherry blossoms sway in brisk winds

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