Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 17, 2016

The indicator tree is in full bloom, and there are handful of others that are just starting to pop. But the vast majority of the trees aren’t flowering yet.

Photo of Lincoln Memorial taken by David Coleman.
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UPDATE: The NPS announced on March 18 that the buds had reached the “peduncle elongation” stage on March 17.

The cherry blossoms reached peak bloom on March 17, 2024. That's the second-earliest on record.

RELATED:
Latest Updates on the 2024 Bloom
Peak Bloom Forecasts in Detail

It’s another beautiful, sunny day down at the Tidal Basin. And more warm weather today should help things along before the cold arrives over the next few days.

Most of the trees aren’t flowering yet, but there are a small number of early starters getting a jump on things. The rest of the trees are mostly in the range from “extension of florets” to “puffy white”. The National Park Service determined that 70 percent of the trees reached the “extension of florets” stage on March 15. Moving to the next stage, “peduncle elongation,” is usually pretty quick, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they announce that we’ve reached that today or tomorrow.

Which Weekend Is Best To Visit?

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about whether this weekend or next would be best to visit.

The peak bloom might end up splitting the weekends, but the weekend of March 26-27 (Easter) is shaping up to be the better weekend to see cherry blossoms out. It’s also likely to be crowded–it’s Easter weekend and with many schools on spring break.

If the peak bloom comes midweek, Saturday is likely to offer better viewing simply because it’s closer to the peak bloom. The further you get away from peak bloom, the greater the risk of fewer flowers. This timeline illustrates what I mean. If the cold weather puts the brakes on enough for the peak bloom to be pushed back to Friday or Saturday, viewing should be excellent on both days of the weekend.

If you’d rather avoid weekend crowds, mid- to late-next week is also looking good.

Will I See Flowers if I Visit This Weekend (March 19-20)?

Yes, but you’ll have to look for them. The vast majority of the trees aren’t blooming yet, but there are a handful scattered around that have flowers. So if you want to find some, you can.

Around the Tidal Basin, the indicator tree is the safest bet (here’s how to find it). It’s in full bloom at the moment (see photos below). Unfortunately it’s not ideal to pose with for family photos or selfies because its branches are pretty high up.

I walked the full circuit of the Tidal Basin this morning and came across a handful of other cherry trees that are just starting to bloom. This morning there were very few, and so far each has only a very small number of flowers on it. More and more will come out in the coming days, and today’s warm weather should help coax even more out. There should be a few more flowers out on Sunday than Saturday simply because it’s a progression at this point.

There are also some cherry blossoms blooming along the Potomac (Ohio Drive). If you’re looking for some, there are a couple next to the boat landing near the FDR Memorial (here’s how to find it). I have some photos of them below.

If you’re planning to take some portrait photos and want flowers in the background, the tulip magnolias at the George Mason Memorial and behind the Korean War Veterans Memorial are looking magnificent.

Will Possible Snow Affect the Cherry Blossoms?

The short answer is that I don’t know. Current forecasts point to the potential for a little snow on Sunday. (Blame the people who jinxed it by putting away all their winter gear already!)

Snow itself shouldn’t be a problem, but the cold temperatures that come with it might be. The buds are vulnerable to frost, and forecasts are now calling for temperatures to dip below freezing Sunday and Monday.

UPDATE: Here’s a much more authoritative answer from the experts at the National Park Service, via the Washington Post. The gist is that there’s potential for a problem for the buds that are more advanced in their development–specifically, the ones that have reached the “peduncle elongation” stage–if a hard frost forms, but there’s no real way to predict if the conditions are going to end up being conducive to frost forming.

Photos From This Morning

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Lincoln Memorial

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Lincoln Memorial

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree

The indicator tree, which typically blooms a week or so ahead of the others, is in full bloom right now. It has beautiful white flowers that will gradually turn more pink over the next few days.

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Indicator Tree - Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Ohio Drive

There are several varieties of cherry trees in the area, and some bloom a little ahead of others. There are some along Ohio Drive on the banks of the Potomac that are blooming. These two were next to the boat landing.

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 17, 2016

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

It’s back in business, and the ducks are loving it!

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial