Warm temperatures cause cherry blossom peak bloom dates to be earlier than expected

With unseasonably warm temperatures expected for the rest of the week, the National Park Service said on Tuesday that the predicted peak bloom for the cherry blossoms will be earlier than expected.

The revised peak bloom dates are now projected to be from March 18-23.

Last week, the park service predicted the peak bloom to be from March 31 through April 3.

"Although the National Park Service factored above average March temperatures into the original prediction date, potentially record-setting temperatures, averaging nearly 20 degrees above normal for the next week, have greatly accelerated the bloom watch," the park service said in a news release.

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

Online:

www.nps.gov/cherry