March 24, 2025
DC Cherry Blossoms Reach Stage 5
The Yoshino cherry trees at Washington, DC's Tidal Basin have reached stage 5 in their journey toward peak bloom. Learn about the bloom stages, weather impact, and top spots to see the cherry blossoms this spring.
Updated
March 24, 2025
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DC Cherry Blossoms Reach Stage 5: Puffy White Blossom

WASHINGTON — March 23, 2025 – The iconic Yoshino cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., have officially entered stage 5 of their blooming process, also known as the "puffy white blossom." According to the National Park Service (NPS), this is the final stage before the cherry blossoms reach their peak bloom.

The trees began their blooming journey on March 11, progressing through various stages of development. By March 16, they reached stage 2, and by March 19, stage 3 was underway. Just one day later, on March 20, the blossoms reached stage 4, signaling that peak bloom was imminent. Stage 5, with its beautiful puffy white blossoms, marks the final stretch toward full bloom, which is expected between March 28 and March 31, 2025.

A Comparison to Past Years

In previous years, the timeline for cherry blossom blooming has varied due to temperature fluctuations. Last year, the process began on March 2, and in 2023, budding started as early as February 23. Peak bloom for those years occurred on March 23, but each year presents a different blooming pattern, dependent on the weather conditions.

The Six Stages of Cherry Blossom Blooming

The NPS carefully tracks the progress of the cherry blossoms, observing six distinct stages to predict when the trees will reach peak bloom:

  1. Green bud
  2. Florets visible
  3. Extension of florets
  4. Peduncle elongation
  5. Puffy blossom
  6. Peak bloom

While the NPS has estimated that peak bloom will occur between March 28 and March 31 this year, predicting the exact timing is still a challenge. Temperature trends, historical data, and real-time observations help experts refine their forecasts, though unexpected shifts, like in 2021 when peak bloom arrived a week earlier than expected, can still happen.

How Weather Affects Blooming

Weather plays a pivotal role in the cherry blossoms' development. Warm temperatures tend to speed up the blooming process, while colder spells slow it down. In fact, the earliest recorded peak bloom occurred on March 15, 1990, while the latest peak bloom took place on April 18, 1958, due to prolonged cold weather. In 2017, a late freeze damaged nearly half of the blossoms, despite peak bloom arriving on March 25 that year.

Best Spots to See the Cherry Blossoms

The Tidal Basin is undoubtedly the most famous location for viewing the cherry blossoms in D.C., drawing large crowds of visitors each year. However, with over a million visitors expected for peak bloom, it can become quite crowded. Luckily, there are other beautiful spots around Washington, D.C., to enjoy the cherry blossoms. These alternative locations can provide a quieter, yet equally stunning, cherry blossom experience.

RELATED: 9+ places to see the cherry blossoms in DC outside of the Tidal Basin

As Washington, D.C. inches closer to peak bloom, all eyes will remain on the Tidal Basin, where these delicate flowers are set to transform the city into a stunning springtime spectacle. The beauty of the cherry blossoms offers a fleeting but unforgettable moment for residents and tourists alike, marking the arrival of spring in the nation’s capital.

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March 24, 2025
DC Cherry Blossoms Reach Stage 5
The Yoshino cherry trees at Washington, DC's Tidal Basin have reached stage 5 in their journey toward peak bloom. Learn about the bloom stages, weather impact, and top spots to see the cherry blossoms this spring.
Updated
March 24, 2025

DC Cherry Blossoms Reach Stage 5: Puffy White Blossom

WASHINGTON — March 23, 2025 – The iconic Yoshino cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., have officially entered stage 5 of their blooming process, also known as the "puffy white blossom." According to the National Park Service (NPS), this is the final stage before the cherry blossoms reach their peak bloom.

The trees began their blooming journey on March 11, progressing through various stages of development. By March 16, they reached stage 2, and by March 19, stage 3 was underway. Just one day later, on March 20, the blossoms reached stage 4, signaling that peak bloom was imminent. Stage 5, with its beautiful puffy white blossoms, marks the final stretch toward full bloom, which is expected between March 28 and March 31, 2025.

A Comparison to Past Years

In previous years, the timeline for cherry blossom blooming has varied due to temperature fluctuations. Last year, the process began on March 2, and in 2023, budding started as early as February 23. Peak bloom for those years occurred on March 23, but each year presents a different blooming pattern, dependent on the weather conditions.

The Six Stages of Cherry Blossom Blooming

The NPS carefully tracks the progress of the cherry blossoms, observing six distinct stages to predict when the trees will reach peak bloom:

  1. Green bud
  2. Florets visible
  3. Extension of florets
  4. Peduncle elongation
  5. Puffy blossom
  6. Peak bloom

While the NPS has estimated that peak bloom will occur between March 28 and March 31 this year, predicting the exact timing is still a challenge. Temperature trends, historical data, and real-time observations help experts refine their forecasts, though unexpected shifts, like in 2021 when peak bloom arrived a week earlier than expected, can still happen.

How Weather Affects Blooming

Weather plays a pivotal role in the cherry blossoms' development. Warm temperatures tend to speed up the blooming process, while colder spells slow it down. In fact, the earliest recorded peak bloom occurred on March 15, 1990, while the latest peak bloom took place on April 18, 1958, due to prolonged cold weather. In 2017, a late freeze damaged nearly half of the blossoms, despite peak bloom arriving on March 25 that year.

Best Spots to See the Cherry Blossoms

The Tidal Basin is undoubtedly the most famous location for viewing the cherry blossoms in D.C., drawing large crowds of visitors each year. However, with over a million visitors expected for peak bloom, it can become quite crowded. Luckily, there are other beautiful spots around Washington, D.C., to enjoy the cherry blossoms. These alternative locations can provide a quieter, yet equally stunning, cherry blossom experience.

RELATED: 9+ places to see the cherry blossoms in DC outside of the Tidal Basin

As Washington, D.C. inches closer to peak bloom, all eyes will remain on the Tidal Basin, where these delicate flowers are set to transform the city into a stunning springtime spectacle. The beauty of the cherry blossoms offers a fleeting but unforgettable moment for residents and tourists alike, marking the arrival of spring in the nation’s capital.

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Buy Now
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DC Cherry Blossoms Reach Stage 5: Puffy White Bloom
DC Cherry Blossoms Reach Stage 5

DC Cherry Blossoms Reach Stage 5: Puffy White Blossom

WASHINGTON — March 23, 2025 – The iconic Yoshino cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., have officially entered stage 5 of their blooming process, also known as the "puffy white blossom." According to the National Park Service (NPS), this is the final stage before the cherry blossoms reach their peak bloom.

The trees began their blooming journey on March 11, progressing through various stages of development. By March 16, they reached stage 2, and by March 19, stage 3 was underway. Just one day later, on March 20, the blossoms reached stage 4, signaling that peak bloom was imminent. Stage 5, with its beautiful puffy white blossoms, marks the final stretch toward full bloom, which is expected between March 28 and March 31, 2025.

A Comparison to Past Years

In previous years, the timeline for cherry blossom blooming has varied due to temperature fluctuations. Last year, the process began on March 2, and in 2023, budding started as early as February 23. Peak bloom for those years occurred on March 23, but each year presents a different blooming pattern, dependent on the weather conditions.

The Six Stages of Cherry Blossom Blooming

The NPS carefully tracks the progress of the cherry blossoms, observing six distinct stages to predict when the trees will reach peak bloom:

  1. Green bud
  2. Florets visible
  3. Extension of florets
  4. Peduncle elongation
  5. Puffy blossom
  6. Peak bloom

While the NPS has estimated that peak bloom will occur between March 28 and March 31 this year, predicting the exact timing is still a challenge. Temperature trends, historical data, and real-time observations help experts refine their forecasts, though unexpected shifts, like in 2021 when peak bloom arrived a week earlier than expected, can still happen.

How Weather Affects Blooming

Weather plays a pivotal role in the cherry blossoms' development. Warm temperatures tend to speed up the blooming process, while colder spells slow it down. In fact, the earliest recorded peak bloom occurred on March 15, 1990, while the latest peak bloom took place on April 18, 1958, due to prolonged cold weather. In 2017, a late freeze damaged nearly half of the blossoms, despite peak bloom arriving on March 25 that year.

Best Spots to See the Cherry Blossoms

The Tidal Basin is undoubtedly the most famous location for viewing the cherry blossoms in D.C., drawing large crowds of visitors each year. However, with over a million visitors expected for peak bloom, it can become quite crowded. Luckily, there are other beautiful spots around Washington, D.C., to enjoy the cherry blossoms. These alternative locations can provide a quieter, yet equally stunning, cherry blossom experience.

RELATED: 9+ places to see the cherry blossoms in DC outside of the Tidal Basin

As Washington, D.C. inches closer to peak bloom, all eyes will remain on the Tidal Basin, where these delicate flowers are set to transform the city into a stunning springtime spectacle. The beauty of the cherry blossoms offers a fleeting but unforgettable moment for residents and tourists alike, marking the arrival of spring in the nation’s capital.

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