After three days of picture-perfect weather that coincided with the cherry blossoms in their prime, the rain is back. With yesterday's wind and today's rain, there's a blanket of cherry blossom "snow" on the ground as the petals a steadily coming off.
As of this morning, the trees are looking beautiful, but they're well on the path out now as the millions (or billions?) of petals fall off the trees, to be replaced by green leaves over the coming days. Spend any time standing under the trees and you'll get petals all over you. The falling of the petals will accelerate today as the rain gets heavier and knocks more and more petals off. How much will be left to see tomorrow is anyone's guess, but they'll mostly be long gone by the weekend.
If you go down today, it's one for the full wet weather gear. As of this morning, the traffic restrictions on Ohio Drive are still in effect, but the need for them has mostly gone. Yesterday was jam-packed, but it was very quiet down there this morning with only a half dozen or so cars. Most of the people around the Tidal Basin were joggers.
Photos
These photos taken early this morning give you a sense of what you can expect to see if you go today. As the day goes on--along with the rain--more and more petals will come off the trees.
Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms
The Kwanzan cherry blossoms, which are nearby in East Potomac Park, still have a way to go before flowering properly. Typically they bloom about 12 days after the Yoshinos around the Tidal Basin. Based on that, we can expect them to reach peak sometime around April 22. Here's how they were looking this morning, and I have information on how to find them here.
Latest Updates
Want to Help Support DC's Cherry Trees?
If you'd like to help support the care and upkeep of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, the Trust for The National Mall has launched an Endow a Cherry Tree Campaign. Donations go to the official Cherry Tree Endowment, which will give the National Park Service additional resources to fund the care, maintenance, and possible replacement of the cherry trees. You can find more information here.
The Trust is dedicated to marshaling private support for maintaining and improving the history National Mall area. I'm not affiliated with the Trust--just an admirer of their efforts.
kel says
This is so great-
My friend and I planned our trip around your reports and we couldn't have had better timing. Your shots are stunning and your advice was perfect. We had a fabulous time and scored some great pics
David says
Glad you enjoyed your visit and came away with some great photos!
yourresearchdiva says
David - I really appreciate that you take the time to share this with us....amazing photos, I guess I'll have to hit it next year...missed it this time around.
John ramos says
Is it still ok to see cherry. Los some this Saturday? Thanks
David says
Hard to say. Most of them will probably be gone, but it's possible there might still be some stragglers.
Jenni shank says
Any update on how they are looking today? Is it worth the trip still?
David says
Sorry, haven't made it down today. The live webcam might help.
Viviana says
I will be there tomorrow!! Hopefully the rain didn't knock all the petals down although I think they look just as beautiful all over the ground.
lori says
Oh ty the color is soft and peaceful.namaste
fw says
hi, can you tell me where you took pictures 3, 9 and 25 under your photos section from today? thanks!
David says
3: Right next to the MLK Memorial, looking towards the Washington Monument. #1 is the same area, just different framing.
9: East Potomac Park, not far from the intersection of Buckeye Drive and Ohio Drive.
25: Same as #3 (and #1 and #24). It's about 15 feet from #26.
fw says
thanks!