Cherry Blossom Watch Updates

The latest information on Washington DC’s cherry blossoms, including peak bloom forecasts and photos of how the trees look.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 22, 2023

We’re getting very close to peak bloom now. There are still a number of trees that have only really just started to open. But the warmer temperatures into tomorrow should do the trick and give them a jolt of energy.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 20, 2023

The cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin aren’t yet in full bloom, but a few warmer days coming up will bring many more flowers out. So they should be in full bloom by the end of this week.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 19, 2023

There are plenty of trees flowering now, and they’re looking quite pretty. But there are also plenty yet to open (or fully open). So we’re still a warm day or two away from peak bloom and their full display.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 16, 2023

After some cold and blustery days, it’s feeling far more spring-like today. And temperatures to match, climbing into the 60s today and tomorrow. That’s going to bring out a lot more flowers over the next few days.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 9, 2023

It has been cooler, but the cherry trees at the Tidal Basin are still moving along. There continues to be a very wide spread of development stages. Some trees have barely gotten started. Others already have a few open flowers starting to appear.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Saucer Magnolias Watch Update: March 6, 2023

The saucer magnolias are now in full bloom. A few warmer days have brought them fully out. Cooler temperatures through the rest of the coming week is good news for them–it will help prolong their bloom.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: February 27, 2023

A couple of cooler days have slowed the pace a little. Most of the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are still in the green bud stage, but there are also quite a few that are getting more definition with the florets visible.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Saucer Magnolias Watch Update: February 22, 2023

The warm winter has meant that the saucer magnolias are coming out early. They’re not yet in bloom, but there are plenty of buds shedding their outer casings to show the beautiful pink and purple petals.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Reader Photos 2022 | Part 4

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2022’s Washington DC cherry blossom bloom that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 4.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Reader Photos 2022 | Part 3

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2022’s Washington DC cherry blossom bloom that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 3.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Reader Photos 2022 | Part 2

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2022’s Washington DC cherry blossom bloom that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 2.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Reader Photos 2022 | Part 1

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2022’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 1–more to come.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 28, 2022 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 28, 2022

The good news with the cold temperatures is that they have basically hit pause on the cherry blossoms, and they’re holding up remarkably well. A few more days of cold temperatures will help prolong the bloom.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 25, 2022 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 25, 2022

The cherry blossoms are still going strong and looking beautiful. A second wave of rain overnight didn’t have much effect. And the rain and fog has now moved out and given way to clear, sunny skies.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 23, 2022 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 23, 2022

The bloom is still going strong. Some of the earliest bloomers around the MLK Memorial are losing their petals, but elswhere around the Tidal Basin the trees are looking lovely.

Photo of  taken by David Coleman.

Reader Photos 2021 | Part 2

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2021’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 2.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossom Watch Update - April 7, 2021 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 7, 2021

The cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are mostly done now. You can still find plenty of flowers, and some trees have more than others. But most of them are on their last legs.

Photo of  taken by David Coleman.

Reader Photos 2021 | Part 1

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2021’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 1–more to come.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin - April 5, 2021 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 5, 2021

The cherry blossoms are past their prime now, some trees have lost more petals than others, and green leaves are coming through. But there are still plenty of blossoms out, and they’re still looking lovely.

Photo of  taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 30, 2021

The cherry blossoms are still going strong and looking beautiful. Yesterday’s wind didn’t affect them much. It’s only when you look at them up very close that you can see that they’re just starting to get that papery look as they start moving past their prime.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 29, 2021 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 29, 2021

A fast-moving storm last night was followed by a windy night. And it was still cool and breezy this morning. The wind hasn’t had much effect on the cherry blossoms–it’s knocked a few petals off, but not many, and the flowers are looking strong. The magnolias haven’t fared as quite as well, but they’re still looking lovely.

Photo of Saucer Magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden - March 26, 2021 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 26, 2021

There are quite a few cherry blossoms out now. The vast majority aren’t quite there yet, but as you walk around the Tidal Basin, it’s easy to find at least some flowers out and the occasional early-blooming whole tree. And the saucer magnolias are in bloom and looking wonderful.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 23, 2021 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 23, 2021

The cherry buds are coming along nicely now, and there’s been quite a bit of change since last week. Some of the white petals are starting to poke through. The NPS judged that 70 percent of them had reached the “extension of florets” stage as of yesterday.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 16, 2021 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 16, 2021

The very warm weather of this past week added a jolt of energy to the buds. They’ve been coming along nicely since then, with more florets becoming visible, but still have a way to go before we start seeing blossoms.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 19, 2020 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 19, 2020

The cherry blossoms are heading into full bloom, but they’re not quite at peak yet. There are still plenty yet to pop. It’s a dreary morning so far, but it should warm up dramatically this afternoon and tomorrow.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 13, 2020 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 13, 2020

The warm temperatures are still speeding things along. The NPS determined that 70 percent of the trees were in the “Peduncle Elongation” stage as of yesterday. Warm temperatures today will give them another jolt of energy before a cooler weekend.

Photo of Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 11, 2020 taken by David Coleman.

NPS Revises Peak Bloom Prediction

The National Park Service has revised their 2020 cherry blossom peak bloom forecast. They now predict that they’ll reach peak bloom sometime between March 21 and 24.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 8, 2020 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 8, 2020

After a cooler few days, we’re back into the unseasonably warm weather for the coming week. That’s going to speed things along. The indicator tree is starting to flower. And the saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle are coming into full bloom.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 1, 2020 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 1, 2020

It’s a beautifully clear and cool morning down at the Tidal Basin. The National Park Service said that the cherry trees had reached the green buds stage as of February 28. Stay tuned on Wednesday for the National Park Service’s announcement of their initial peak bloom prediction.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - February 22, 2020 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: February 22, 2020

There are some early green buds starting to poke through on some of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, the area’s daffodils are coming out, as are some of the apricot blossoms and other early-spring flowering fruit trees.

Photo of  taken by David Coleman.

Reader Photos 2019 | Part 4

Here are some more of the beautiful photos of 2019’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is the final installment.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 10, 2019

The cherry blossoms are mostly done now. You can still find flowers out, but they’re fading fast. The good news, though, is that the warm temperatures of the past few days have helped push the Kwanzan cherry blossoms along.

Photo of  taken by David Coleman.

Reader Photos 2019 | Part 3

Here are some more of the beautiful photos of 2019’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 3.

Photo of  taken by David Coleman.

Reader Photos 2019 | Part 2

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2019’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 2–more to come.

Photo of  taken by David Coleman.

Reader Photos 2019 | Part 1

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2019’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 1–more to come.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - April 7, 2019 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 7, 2019

The cherry blossoms are still looking pretty, especially from a distance, but up close it’s becoming easier to tell that they’re past their prime. There are fewer petals on the trees, more petals on the ground, and more green leaves sprouting.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - April 6, 2019 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 6, 2019

The cherry blossoms are still looking lovely. They didn’t get through yesterday’s rain entirely unscathed–it did knock some petals off, and you can see plenty of cherry blossom “snow” on the ground. But from a distance it’s hard to tell.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 31, 2019 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 31, 2019

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom now. They’re white and fluffy and billowing. This morning’s weather isn’t the ideal setting to showcase the blossoms, but it’s still a beautiful sight.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 30, 2019

The cherry blossoms are coming into full bloom, although there’s still plenty of flowers yet to open. More and more will open up over the next few days. If you head down this weekend you won’t be disappointed.

Photo of Red bridge at the Tidal Basin taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 29, 2019

The cherry blossoms are really starting to come along now. They’re not in full bloom yet, but many trees are starting to flower. Warm temperatures today and tomorrow will make them pop.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 28, 2019 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 28, 2019

There’s now no difficulty finding flowers out. Many of the trees have at least some flowers opening; some trees have many. The warmer temperatures on Friday and Saturday will make them really start popping.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 27, 2019 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 27, 2019

Many of the trees are in the puffy white stage now, and you can clearly see the white petals coming through. And more trees have at least a few flowers opening on them now, although it’s still only a tiny portion of the flowers that will be coming out over the next several days.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 23, 2019 - Saucer Magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 23, 2019

The cool temperatures have kept the pace quite slow, but the cherry trees are making progress toward the bloom. It is technically possible to find some early blossoms out, but it’s only the tiniest fraction of them and you really have to go hunting for them.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - March 19, 2019 taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 19, 2019

The National Park Service has judged that the trees have reached the “florets visible” stage. Many of the trees are beyond that, and from a distance you can see that the trees are getting a reddish-brown tinge as the bud development progresses.

Photo of Spring Solstice Sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 17, 2019

What a difference a couple of very warm days makes! We’ve seen temperatures climb into the upper 70s, and that gave the cherry blossoms quite a jolt. The indicator tree now has its first flowers open.