Cherry Blossom Watch Updates

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

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 18, 2024

A day after they reached peak bloom, the cherry blossoms are looking magnificent. Not all of them are fully open yet, and more will come out in coming days.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 16, 2024

It’s a lovely spring morning at the Tidal Basin, and the cherry blossoms are starting to look like themselves. Not yet at peak bloom, but only days away now.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 15, 2024

The cherry blossoms have hit the puffy white stage. Next stop: peak bloom. Warm temperatures will keep more and more flowers coming out each day for the next week or so.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 15, 2024

The very warm temperatures are fueling an accelerated saucer magnolia bloom, and the flowers are getting quite fragile now, with blankets of petals on the ground.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 13, 2024

The saucer magnolias are now in full bloom and looking magnificent. With several more very warm days coming up, their bloom might be somewhat brief.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 11, 2024

The rain and wind of the past few days haven’t had much effect, but the cooler temperatures have kept things moving slowly. Warmer temperatures are on the way.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 11, 2024

The saucer magnolias have emerged mostly none the worse for wear from the rain and wind over the past few days. They’re on the verge of full bloom and will be coming out even more in the next few warm days.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 8, 2024

The indicator tree is starting to bloom. The other trees are further behind, in various development stages. And the saucer magnolias are close to full bloom.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 8, 2024

The saucer magnolias are starting to open. They’re looking lovely now, but they’ll look even lovelier in the coming days into next week.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 6, 2024

The cherry buds are coming along, and it’s easy to find some now that are into the Extension of Florets stage. The indicator tree, racing ahead as usual, is showing plenty of white just before the flowers open.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 6, 2024

A handful are starting to open, but most will need a little more warmth to be coaxed out. We have a few more days of warmer temperatures in store, which will keep things chugging along.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 3, 2024

It’s a beautiful, calm, and sunny morning at the Tidal Basin. Most of the trees now have green buds out now, and the National Park Service judged that at least 70% of the trees reached the green buds stage as of yesterday.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 3, 2024

There’s some pink coming through, but the tulip magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden need the warmer temperatures over the coming week to really start popping.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: February 27, 2024

More green buds continue to poke out in the warm temperatures, and the Capital Weather Gang at Washington Post have issued their initial prediction for peak bloom 2024.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: February 19, 2024

There’s not much to see yet on the cherry trees, temperatures are still trending warmer than normal, and the first peak bloom forecasts should start coming out towards the end of next week.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: February 4, 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Cherry Blossom Watch! There’s not much to report on the cherry trees just yet, but there’s some other early spring color starting to come out.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

2023 Cherry Blossom Watch Wrap Up

It ended up being an early bloom, but not exceptionally so. During a warm January and February, it looked like the bloom might come much earlier than it did.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Reader Photos 2023 – Part 4

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2023’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is the final installment for this year.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Reader Photos 2023 – Part 3

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2023’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 3.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Reader Photos 2023 – Part 2

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2023’s bloom of the cherry blossoms that were submitted by Cherry Blossom Watch readers. This is part 2.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Reader Photos 2023 – Part 1

These are some of the beautiful photos of 2023’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.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 3, 2023

The cherry blossoms are well past their prime now and not looking nearly as fresh and full as they were in full bloom. But it’s still easy to find plenty of flowers out on individual trees.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 30, 2023

We’re now a week after peak bloom, and the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are still looking beautiful. But if you look up close, they’re moving past their prime now, and there’s a lot more cherry blossom “snow” on the ground.

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.