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by David Coleman @ Have Camera Will Travel

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Cherry Blossom Watch Update: February 7, 2016

Tidal Basin, Washington DC

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Panorama - February 7, 2016

Cherry Blossom Watch Updates / 2016 Cherry Blossom Watch
Last updated about 5 years ago / Originally published about 5 years ago

DC Cherry Blossoms in 2021

It seems increasingly likely that DC will still be under COVID-19 restrictions in spring 2021 while the cherry blossoms are blooming. So it's shaping up to be a good year to follow along from afar from the safety and comfort of your home.

The snow is gone (for now), and aside from some scattered piles of snow here and there, there’s not much evidence of the blizzard from two weeks ago. The trees don’t seem any worse for wear from the snow, and I didn’t come across any fallen branches this visit or last.

The very warm start to February thawed the Potomac and most of the Tidal Basin. Now that we’re back into more typical winter temperatures for the past few days there’s a very thin layer of ice on maybe a quarter of the Tidal Basin.

As you can see from the photos below, the cherry blossom buds are very much still in the early stages. There won’t be a lot of change to see in them over the next few weeks, but through March the progression will accelerate as they move through the various developmental stages on their way from buds to blossoms.

At the end of January we ended up just over 1° below normal for the month. Last year we had a very cold February that helped push the cherry blossoms’ bloom–along with most of the area’s other flowers–very late. So far, at least, there’s not much to suggest that we’ll get a repeat of that unusually chilly month overall, although we might be in store for some very cold nights yet.

Here’s how we’re tracking so far for monthly average temperatures. It’s still too early in the month for the February average to be meaningful, and after a balmy first few days of February we seem to be settling in to more typical winter weather.

 DecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarchPeak Bloom Date
2019-20+2.4+6.4+4.8+7.3*March 20
2018-19+3.8+1.2+3.2+0.0April 1
2017-18-0.5-0.3+6.3-3.2April 5
2016-17+2.1+6.1+8.7-0.7*March 25
2015-16+11.5-1.1+0.9+6.5*March 25
2014-15+4.0-0.4-8.7-1.5April 10
2013-14+2.6-3.8-1.2-3.9April 10
2012-13+5.9+4.3-0.7-3.0April 9
2011-12+4.9+4.7+5.3+10March 20
2010-11--1.3+3.6-0.9March 29
Data sources: National Weather Service / National Park Service.
ˤ = partial month, in progress
* = up until peak bloom

We’re still a few weeks away from when we’d expect the first major peak bloom forecasts to be issued. They typically come around the beginning of March. As always, you can find the latest information on the 2016 peak bloom forecasts page.

Photos from This Morning

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Macro - February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms and Jefferson Memorial - February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Branch- February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Walkway - February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Close-Up - February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms with Washington Monument - February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms And Waterfront- February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Branch and Buds - February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms with MLK Memorial - February 7, 2016

Washington Monument Reflected on the Water of the Tidal Basin - February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Old Trees - February 7, 2016

Ice on the Tidal Basin - February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossom Branches and Washington Monument - February 7, 2016

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms with Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin - February 7, 2016

Photographing Flowers

At this time of year, there are beautiful flowers to be had all over the place. Maybe in your backyard. Maybe in the local park.

These are ere are some of my favorite books that I've reviewed on taking photos of flowers:

Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers: The Essential Guide to...
Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers: The Essential Guide to...
  • Timber Press OR
  • Detrick, Alan L. (Author)
$20.49
Buy on Amazon
Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Worlds with Harold Davis
Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Worlds with Harold Davis
  • Focal Press
  • Davis, Harold (Author)
$31.29
Buy on Amazon
By David Coleman

Page last updated about 5 years ago

Latest Development Milestone

Winter Dormant
Green Buds
Florets Visible
Extension of Florets
Peduncle Elongation
Puffy White
Peak Bloom
Green Leaves
Fall / Autumn

Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Buy on Amazon
The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration
The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration
Buy on Amazon

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Cherry Blossom Watch Update: January 26, 2016
Cherry Blossom Watch Update: February 14, 2016

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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