It's still too early to guess with any confidence when DC's cherry blossoms will bloom in 2020, and no peak bloom forecasts have been issued yet. Stay tuned for the first peak bloom forecasts to be announced around the beginning of March.
The winter so far has been much warmer than normal. January and February have both tracked well above average. If that continues--and that's always a big "if"--it points to an earlier-than-average bloom, more late-March than early-April. But there's still plenty of time for cold weather to arrive and settle in, so it's still too early to predict with confidence.
It has been snowing steadily, and there’s a layer of wet, slushy snow around the Tidal Basin.
But if you’re concerned that we’re seeing a repeat of last year, don’t be. The cherry blossoms are fine. It’s not cold enough to do damage, and nearly all of the trees are still in the earlier bud stages when they’re not really vulnerable to frost. Last year was different for two reasons–it was much colder (teens and low 20s over a few successive nights) and the buds were much further along in the vulnerable stage right before flowering. There are still some cold temperatures expected over the next several nights, but they shouldn’t cause any real problems.
As usual, the banks of the Tidal Basin don’t have quite as much snow accumulation as even nearby suburbs. There’s maybe an inch, and it’s very slushy. Part of the reason is that the water tends to moderate temperatures a little and keep them just a few degrees higher than some other nearby areas.
The cool temperatures mean that it’s still very slow going for the buds, although when you look very closely you can see some progress. There’s a small handful of scattered trees now starting to pop a few flowers. The cool temperatures that are expected through the weekend and into the beginning of next week will keep things moving at a snail’s pace. Current forecasts expect things to start warming up in the middle of next week, which will help things move along.
If you’re heading down to the Tidal Basin this weekend, it is possible to find a few cherry blossoms out, but not many. It’s a tiny proportion so far, but they’re there if you really go hunting. The vast majority of the trees won’t be out this weekend. I aim to post another update on Friday in which I’ll go into more detail on where to go looking for the few that are out, so be sure to check back then.
How Things Look This Afternoon
Here’s a sense of how things are looking down at the Tidal Basin and nearby areas this afternoon (and some of the fun people have been having in the snow).
The Korean War Veterans Memorial. Taken with a Fujifilm X-T2.
This is an old cork tree, not a cherry tree. But it has some pretty interesting branches.
Taken with an Sony Alpha a6000.
JFK Hockey Fields next to the Reflecting Pool and Korean War Veterans Memorial.
Next to the Reflecting Pool.
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.
Diana says
Do you know how the saucer magnolias are doing?
David says
I haven’t looked in on the Smithsonian’s in the past few days. I’d expect their Instagram account to post an update sometime soon. The others I saw yesterday elsewhere seemed to be doing fine in the snow but weren’t fully open yet.
Diane says
We were there today and they were beautiful. In full bloom with no sign of damage.
Ron Gerber says
These updates, photos and comments are super. Very informative and played a major role in my trip planning to view these elusive little buds.
THANK YOU!
David says
Glad they’re helpful!
rodney says
how much construction on the back side of the Lincoln Memorial? Want a picture from the Arlington side.
David says
That’s all blocked off–you can’t walk around there. You’re limited to the east-facing side and then just the area near the steps.
rodney says
thanks… if I took a picture from the Arlington cemetery to this direction – would the construction be obvious? Any idea how long it will be going on??
thanks again
David says
Actually, I haven’t really been looking closely lately, but last time I noticed it there was the usual construction barricades and some equipment on the (what was) grassed area between the memorial and the road leading over Memorial Bridge). So yes, that would be noticeable. I’ll try to remember to take a better look next time I’m going by.
JennyBunny says
Pretty! I hope we can find at least one cherry blossom in full bloom this weekend. Flight ticket was crazily expensive and we bought it just to see cherry blossom.
Melanie says
Which weekend would be better for a trip down to see the cherry blossoms- the last weekend of March/first of April (Mar 30-April 1) or the following weekend (April 5-7)? I was planning on going next weekend but not sure if they’ll be out with the cooler temperatures into next week!