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.
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 NPS carefully tracks the progress of the cherry blossoms, observing six distinct stages to predict when the trees will reach 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 NPS carefully tracks the progress of the cherry blossoms, observing six distinct stages to predict when the trees will reach 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 NPS carefully tracks the progress of the cherry blossoms, observing six distinct stages to predict when the trees will reach 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 NPS carefully tracks the progress of the cherry blossoms, observing six distinct stages to predict when the trees will reach 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.
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.
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.