DC Cherry Blossoms in 2021
It seems increasingly likely that DC will still be under COVID-19 restrictions in spring 2021 while the cherry blossoms are blooming. So it's shaping up to be a good year to follow along from afar from the safety and comfort of your home.
We’re coming out of a cold spell and turning the corner into a milder stretch. The buds are coming along nicely, with most trees now with green buds and some heading into the “florets visible” stage.
But they’re still lagging quite a way behind where they were this time last year. Although that’s not a great measure, because this time last year it was looking like it might be a very early bloom until cold weather came in and brought things to a crawl. And two years ago there were already early bloomers out.
Some warmer days this week will start coaxing out more daffodils and other early spring flowers and start making it look and feel a little more like spring. The cherry trees still have some work to do, but hopefully temperatures will pick up a little through the rest of March to give the buds some help.
Temperatures
Despite some very cold spells in January into early February, and again to start March, so far the winter temperatures have been averaging a little above normal.
Here’s how the pattern looks on a day-by-day basis. The blue line represents daily averages since the beginning of December; the red line represents the historical averages.
And here’s how that translates into monthly averages:
- March: -5.3° (as of March 11)
- February: +3.2°
- January: +1.2°
- December: +3.8°
How It’s Looking at the Tidal Basin Today
It’s calm and milder.
Photographing Flowers
At this time of year, there are beautiful flowers to be had all over the place. Maybe in your backyard. Maybe in the local park.
These are ere are some of my favorite books that I've reviewed on taking photos of flowers:
- Timber Press OR
- Detrick, Alan L. (Author)
- Focal Press
- Davis, Harold (Author)
Denise says
I am coming to DC April 11-14. How much of the cherry blossoms will still be around?
David says
Hard to say. Firstly, it’ll depend when peak bloom ends up falling. If it falls in the late end of the predicted ranges, there’s a chance there might still be some late blossoms around. Or the predictions might end up being wrong. In ideal conditions, the blossoms can stay out a week or two. In less-than-ideal conditions, they can be gone in 4-5 days after peak bloom. You can get a sense of the progression and how it varies year to year here.
Ginny says
Planning trip to see Blossoms
David says
Enjoy! They’re beautiful!