The cherry trees along Washington’s Tidal Basin hit peak bloom Thursday, three days ahead of the National Park Service’s earliest projected date this year.
The National Park Service defines peak bloom as “the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry … blossoms are open.”
This year, officials thought peak bloom would occur between Sunday and Wednesday next week, but the trees ended up going through the process faster than they expected.
PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM!
It’s official! The cherry blossoms are opening & putting on a splendid spring spectacle. See you soon.
!#CherryBlossom #BloomWatch #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/RA85z4AQTW
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 26, 2026
The trees hit the previous stage of development and started showing puffy white blossoms on Monday, having started the entire process when green buds appeared on their branches on March 11.
The cherry trees will be in peak bloom and showing open blossoms for several days depending on the weather.
If the weather is calm and cool, the peak bloom period will last longer, but if rain, wind or storms come, the peak bloom period could end early, the National Park Service said.
National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst told Washington’s WUSA, “Even into Friday, those petals are going to still be hanging on nice and strong. It won’t ruin the show Friday if we get some rain.”
In addition to the trees, visitors can look forward to the activities at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which started last Friday and will run through April 12.
