Peak bloom period for cherry blossoms pushed back

WASHINGTON - The National Park Service has updated their peak bloom forecast for the cherry blossoms.

The park service says due to the recent cooler than forecasted temperatures, the start of the peak bloom period has been pushed back to March 23-24.

Last week, the peak bloom dates were projected to be from March 18-23.

"Peak bloom occurs when 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees, the most abundant of the 12 species around the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park, are in bloom," the park service said in a news release. "Once in bloom, the flowers can last four to 10 days, depending on weather conditions. Additional varieties of trees bloom later than the Yoshinos. For example, the start of the peak bloom period for the Kwanzan trees is currently projected for April 10."

This year's National Cherry Blossom Festival will run from March 20 through April 17.