Expect a flurry of news over the next couple of days. The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang have said they will post their first peak bloom prediction later today. The National Park Service will announce theirs at a press conference tomorrow. And the warm weather has the trees racing through their development, with the indicator tree even starting to flower.
As we wrap up the meteorological winter, February is closing out as one for the record books in terms of temperatures, averaging over 8 degrees above normal. We've seen weather more typical of May. And while we can expect a little see-sawing coming up, it seems we can also expect March to be much warmer than normal overall.
| December | January | February | March | Peak Bloom Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | +3.8 | +1.2 | +3.4 (as of Feb 15) | ||
| 2017-18 | -0.5 | -0.3 | +6.3 | -3.2 | April 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 | -1.5 | April 10 |
| 2013-14 | +2.6 | -3.8 | -1.2 | -3.9 | April 10 |
| 2012-13 | +5.9 | +4.3 | -0.7 | -3.0 | April 9 |
| 2011-12 | +4.9 | +4.7 | +5.3 | +10 | March 20 |
| 2010-11 | - | -1.3 | +3.6 | -0.9 | March 29 |
ˤ = partial month, in progress
* = up until peak bloom
All that means an early bloom. Perhaps even one challenging. The current record for peak bloom is March 15 (1990).
Right now, the trees are in quite a spread of stages. Some are still in the first stage (green buds). Others are in the third stage (extension of florets). There's even a handful pushing ahead to stage 4 (peduncle elongation).
Could Frost Cause Problems?
Several people have asked whether frost would be a problem.
The answer is: potentially, yes. In the right (or wrong, if you will) mix of circumstances, it can damage or even halt the bloom. Frost hasn't ever actually stopped Washington DC's cherry blossoms from blooming in the 105 years they've been there, but it remains a possibility.
It might even be more of an issue this year. One of the consequences of such an early bloom is that it's still very possible for us to see frost. In this area, there's still a good chance of frost all through March--in a normal year, anyway.
If we do get frost, the effect that it has on the cherry blossoms depends on what stage they're at. While they're wrapped tight, it's not much of an issue. But they're now entering stages where they are vulnerable to frost and freezing. The best we can do is cross our fingers.
Photos of the Cherry Blossoms Around the Tidal Basin This Morning
Indicator Tree
The indicator tree hasn't changed much since yesterday. It has flowers, but it's a relatively small number. Most of the buds are in the puffy white stage. But very warm weather over the next couple of days is likely to make them pop.
Jefferson Memorial Scaffolding
If you're heading into town and looking to take some photos of the monuments, just a heads up that there's some scaffolding in the Jefferson Memorial. It's not much, and it's actually quite well hidden, but it's on the eastern side of the front portico between the columns. It's not very prominent if you're taking photos across the Tidal Basin towards the sunrise behind the Jefferson Memorial.
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.