DC cherry blossoms reach stage 3 of 2020 blooming season, National Park Service says

Economic impact of coronavirus in DC

Organizers of two large conventions are scrapping plans to come to the District, but it still is all systems go for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - D.C.'s famous cherry blossoms have already reached the third of six stages that culminate in peak bloom!

"Temperatures significantly above average for three of the past six days move the cherry trees to Stage 3 - extension of florets," tweeted the National Park Service on Monday.

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Last week, the NPS announced its initial peak bloom forecast. The peak bloom dates for 2020 are March 27 - 30. On average, peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April.

D.C.'s famous cherry trees are the highlight of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.

On Tuesday, FOX 5's Lauren DeMarco asked D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser during a press conference about the status of the National Cherry Blossom Festival's status amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"We have a number of festivals, said Bowser. "I’m going to take direction from the Department of Health on how to keep the District safe."

With four positive cases of the virus in the District, Bowser has not yet declared a state of emergency in D.C. but says she may do so in the coming days.