The Yoshino cherry trees along DC’s Tidal Basin have reached peak bloom, the National Park Service (NPS) announced on Sunday, March 28.
NPS experts predicted the cherry blossoms’ peak bloom to occur between April 2 and April 5 in 2021. However, the temperatures were above average last week, which caused a speedy development, according to the agency.
The cherry trees have reached peak bloom after temps well above average last week sped us through the final stages of the blossom cycle – just four days from stage 4 to peak. Check out the pink and white blossoms ringing the Tidal Basin on the #BloomCam at https://t.co/OfPYrLqS2O pic.twitter.com/WjNqr8ifF5
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 28, 2021
The “peak bloom date” refers to the day on which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin are open.
Fewer people are expected to visit the area to physically see the cherry blossoms surrounding the Tidal Basin this year because of the pandemic. But everyone is invited by the Trust for the National Mall — as well as the NPS, The National Cherry Blossom Festival, and EarthCam — to enjoy the view from the comfort of their home via three live-streaming cameras.
#BLOOMCAM provides live view of the National Mall Tidal Basin from the roof of the Mandarin Oriental, #BUDCAM shows the bloom stages of the cherry trees in real time, and the Monument Cam displays the west side of National Mall from the top of the Washington Monument.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, which was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, kicked off on March 20 and will continue through April 11.
To view the full schedule for the festival that includes both virtual and in-person events, click here.
Today is the first day of spring, which means the 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival has OFFICIALLY BEGUN! 🌸🌳🌸🌳 Learn more about our 4 weeks of outstanding events and programs, from March 20 – April 11, at https://t.co/NZSiy9fa7n. We can't wait to #StepIntoSpring with you! pic.twitter.com/71ksycjPSe
— National Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸 (@CherryBlossFest) March 20, 2021