2022 Washington DC Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Forecasts
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Menu Menu 2026 Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Forecasts The latest information and forecasts on when Washington DC’s cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin will reach peak bloom in Spring 2026.
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By David Coleman Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Filed Under: Peak Bloom Forecasts, Visitor Information Topics: 2026 Cherry Blossom Watch I MAY get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
2026 Cherry Blossoms
It's still too early to know precisely when the cherry blossoms will bloom in spring 2026 because so much of the timing has to do with the weather in the weeks and months leading up to the bloom.
The bloom averages around the last week of March, but it can also be earlier than that (in a warm spring) or later (in a cold spring).
So far, the cherry trees are still in their dormant state and haven't really begun waking up yet.
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The precise timing of when DC’s cherry blossoms bloom varies from year to year, and it is very heavily influenced by local temperatures in the weeks and months leading up to the bloom. That can make it hard to predict when to time your visit.
On average, DC’s cherry blossoms bloom around the last week of March into the first week of April. But it varies from year to year based on weather conditions, so it can also be a little before or after that period. In recent decades, the bloom has been trending earlier. (Of course, there are always exceptions!)
Sustained cooler temperatures bring a later bloom, while sustained warmer temperatures make for an earlier bloom.
My objective here is to provide the best and most up-to-date information we have available to help narrow down the timing. Of course, because it hinges so heavily on the weather, there’s always an element of uncertainty, and things can change. But the information below is designed to help you make at least an informed guess.
Latest Updates from the Tidal Basin
- Cherry Blossom Watch Update: October 2025
- Tulips at the Floral Library Update: April 17, 2025
- Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 17, 2025
Tracking Temperatures So Far for Winter 2025-26
It’s been a very cold winter so far.
December was cold. The first half of the month was significantly and consistently colder than normal. It became a little milder in the second half, but it only climbed up to around the normal temperatures.
January continued with that cold trend but was followed by a short stint of warmer weather into the 50s and 60s, which was well above normal for this time of year. But by the middle of the month, the cold temperatures have returned. And not in a subtle way. As you can see on the temperature chart below, there was a deep cold that set in, with it not climbing above freezing for around 10 days.
February has started only marginally milder but is still well below normal.
All of this is slowing down the cherry trees’ dormancy cycle. It’s too cold even for that to progress.
The cherry trees around the Tidal Basin haven’t yet finished their full winter dormant cycle and haven’t really begun waking up yet. In sub-freezing conditions, they essentially shut down and aren’t even doing their necessary dormancy process. And, counterintuitively, warmer days at this stage (warmer than about 45 degrees) can actually be counterproductive in their development. It’s really not until they go through their dormancy cycle that they can start making good use of warm days to move things along toward blooming.
You can see how temperatures so far this winter are tracking in the tables and graphs below.
This first table shows the monthly averages leading up to the peak bloom for the past decade or so. The most important columns are March and February — the temperatures in those months closest to the bloom have the heaviest influence on the timing of the blossoms’ opening. A very warm early March can bring the bloom forward considerably (conversely, a much colder early March can slow things to a crawl).
| December | January | February | March | Peak Bloom Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | -4.4ˤ | -4.2 | -9.4ˤ | ? | |
| 2024-25 | +0.2 | -3.3 | +1.0 | +5.0* | March 28 |
| 2023-24 | +3.8 | +2.3 | +4.4 | +9.4* | March 17 |
| 2022-23 | -1.6 | +7.7 | +6.8 | +1.5* | March 23 |
| 2021-22 | +5.9 | -2.9 | +2.6 | +5.0* | March 21 |
| 2020-21 | +1.7 | +2.6 | -1.2 | +4.2* | March 28 |
| 2019-20 | +2.4 | +6.4 | +4.8 | +7.3* | March 20 |
| 2018-19 | +3.8 | +1.2 | +3.2 | +0.0 | April 1 |
| 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 |
And here’s how we’re tracking day by day this winter. The red line represents the historical average temperature. The blue line represents the corresponding daily averages for this winter. In other words, above the red line is warmer than normal; below the red line is below average. The data used in this graph are taken from the National Weather Service’s recordings from Reagan National Airport, which you can easily see just across the Potomac from the Tidal Basin.
And here’s a similar but slightly different way of looking at it. This shows more directly how far each day has departed from the historical average. The horizontal 0 line represents the historical average. Each vertical bar represents a day. A bar above the 0 line represents warmer than the historical average. A bar below the 0 line represents cooler than the historical average.
Hotels Near the Tidal Basin
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, these are within easy walking distance of the Tidal Basin (where the most famous cherry blossoms are):
- Canopy by Hilton
- Hyatt House
- Courtyard by Marriott
- InterContinental
- State Plaza Hotel
- Pendry
- Salamander
- Waldorf Astoria
I also have a more detailed post on where to stay for Washington DC’s cherry blossoms that includes a broader range of options.
2025-26 Winter Outlook
The main long-range winter forecasts are now in. They don’t forecast anything dramatic, with temperatures generally close to normal.
Of course, long-range weather forecasts should always be read with a bit of skepticism; they’re educated guesses and by no means a sure thing. But for what it’s worth:
- The National Weather Service is predicting a slightly warmer-than-normal winter into spring.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) long-range winter outlook (December – February) is leaning toward warmer-than-normal temperatures.
- The Washington Post‘s Capital Weather Gang is predicting a slightly colder-than-normal start to winter that will gradually moderate to slightly above normal as we head into the crucial period of February-March. So, on balance, probably somewhere close to normal when all is said and done. The underlying influence is a La Niña (cooler‐than‐normal tropical Pacific) that starts out weak (but cools things a bit) and fades as the winter goes on (hence the warming).
- In late October, the Washington Post polled five long-range weather forecasting experts. Most expected a La Niña pattern to bring warmer-than-normal temperatures (3 of the 5) and less snow than normal to the DC area (4 of the 5).
2026 Peak Bloom Forecasts
A key part of planning to visit the cherry blossoms are the peak bloom forecasts. These are predictions put out in advance for when the cherry blossoms will bloom. Or, more specifically, when they’ll reach “peak bloom,” which is when 70 percent of the blossoms are flowering.
There’s real expertise and science that goes into these predictions, but that definitely doesn’t mean they’re always correct. The core problem is that they rely very heavily on weather forecasts weeks in advance. And we all know how well that goes.
Nevertheless, the peak bloom forecasts are the best guides we have for scheduling a visit.
Some matter more than others, and those that I focus on here aren’t just some random person guessing. I pay closest attention to those by the NPS and Washington Post. StormTeam4 is also building a good record, but they’re newer to the game. As others come out, I’ll add any that I think worth noting.
There were no revisions to the peak bloom forecasts, and most of them were either right on the money or very close to the mark.
Many of the forecasts start coming out around the beginning of March.
National Park Service
No forecast for 2026 has been issued yet.
Washington Post‘s Capital Weather Gang
No forecast for 2026 has been issued yet.
NBC StormTeam4
No forecast for 2026 has been issued yet.
ABC4 StormWatch 4
So this is somewhat of an unusual one. It’s actually from a local TV weather team in Oak Hill, West Virginia, which is not exactly local to DC; as they put it, they’re two gas tanks away. (NB: Despite the naming similarities, this is not the same as local station NBC StormTeam4, which has issued their own forecasts in recent years.)
No forecast for 2026 has been issued yet.
George Mason University
This is a little different from the other predictions here. Statisticians at GMU run a competition for predicting the cherry blossom bloom at several key locations around the world, including Washington DC.
Entrants submit their own predictions, so it’s not a single prediction being issued.
No forecast for 2026 has been issued yet.
What to Expect at the National Mall in Spring 2026
A lot has been happening around the National Mall to get ready for the 250th celebrations in 2026.
To give a sense of what to expect if you visit for the cherry blossoms in Spring 2026, I’ve posted some rundowns of activity at various major sites, and I’ll aim to keep these updated as we get closer.
- What to Expect at the Tidal Basin Seawall Construction Project in Spring 2026
- What to Expect at the Jefferson Memorial in Spring 2026
- What to Expect at the Lincoln Memorial in Spring 2026
There’s nothing particular happening at the MLK, FDR, and World War II Memorials, so I won’t post separate overviews of those. They’re all fully open and accessible.
When Did Washington DC’s Cherry Blossoms Bloom in 2025?
The cherry blossoms reached peak bloom on March 28, 2025. They are now done for the season.
It was, overall, a remarkably calm lead-up to peak bloom. After a relatively cool winter, warmer temperatures in early March brought a quick flurry of activity around mid-March that then settled into a slow and steady pace of progress until the full bloom.
Peak bloom also coincided with the start of several days of very warm weather. And that rushed things along. By 4-5 days later, the cherry blossoms had become fragile in the warmth, and a wave of strong storms and torrential rain basically ended the bloom overnight.
2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival
The 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to run from March 20 to April 12, 2026.
Dates for specific events within the festival, like the parade and kite festival, are yet to be announced. Stay tuned!
Books on DC’s Cherry Blossoms
Here are some of my favorite books on DC’s cherry blossoms.
They’re interesting reads for anyone planning to visit. They also make for great gifts for those who can’t make it in person this year.
The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration Buy on Amazon 
Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Buy on Amazon 
Cherry Blossoms: Sakura Collections from the Library of Congress 
Buy on Amazon Common Questions About the Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Forecasts
Here are some answers to some of the common questions I get asked.
How long do the flowers stay out? What if I miss peak bloom?
The day the cherry blossoms reach peak bloom is not, of course, the only day you can see the flowers. At a minimum, you can expect a beautiful sight for at least a few days before the peak bloom date and at least a few days after. Sometimes they can be out for a couple of weeks.
How long they remain out depends heavily on weather conditions. In ideal conditions (cool, dry, calm), there can still be flowers to see a week or even more after the peak bloom date. So there might be a period of two weeks or more when the flowers look beautiful. In less-than-ideal conditions (wet, windy, hot, stormy), the flowers disappear more quickly, perhaps a week or less. I’ve put together a timeline with photos from previous years to give an idea of what you can expect to see during the different stages of the bloom.
The crucial point is that you don’t have to be there precisely on peak bloom day to be greeted with a beautiful sight. There are still flowers to see in the days before and after that.
If you’re too early for the main cherry blossoms, your timing might be good for saucer magnolias. There’s a particularly beautiful collection of them in the garden behind the Smithsonian Castle, but there are plenty of others scattered around the city, including a small grove at the George Mason Memorial next to the Tidal Basin. Another good spot for them is Rawlins Park in Foggy Bottom (across the other side of the National Mall).
And if you’re too late for the Yoshino peak bloom by two or three weeks, you might be in luck with a different variety that is also very pretty: the Kwanzan cherry blossoms. Tulips are another spring highlight around the area, and you can find them at a number of places around the National Mall as well as further afield.
Do the peak bloom predictions change?
Yes. It’s common for them to be revised as we get closer to the bloom. In particular, the timing of the bloom depends heavily on the weather (specifically, temperatures). And, as we all know, weather predictions don’t always match reality.
This is why it’s worth checking back to this page for the current forecasts or signing up to get updates using one of the methods described below.
How are the peak bloom predictions made?
There are three parts that go into the mix for making the NPS peak bloom predictions.
- The first is a mathematical model that basically assigns heat points for temperatures. In the horticultural world, it’s known as a growing degree-days (GDD) calculation. Once the trees wake up from their winter dormancy, there are thresholds for a certain number of heat points to bring them to bloom.1
- The second is actually looking at the trees to see how they’re developing. Sometimes the mathematical model doesn’t match what they actually see on the trees, as happened in 2018 when the model predicted a much earlier bloom than ended up happening because the buds got stuck in the green bud stage for much longer than expected.
- The third part, and the most unstable element of the whole thing, consists of weather forecasts looking weeks ahead. We all know only too well just how unreliable forecasts that far ahead can be, and that’s the main reason that the peak bloom predictions can change quite a lot and why the NPS arborists aren’t really comfortable with their predictions until about ten days out.
What does “peak bloom” mean & why is it a date range?
The peak bloom date is the day on which the NPS horticulturists judge that 70 percent of the Yoshino blossoms are out. There are a number of different varieties of cherry trees around and near the Tidal Basin, but the Yoshino variety is by far the most numerous and famous.
“Peak Bloom” is a specific day that the threshold is passed. So when a forecast expects peak bloom between such and such dates, it means that they expect the 70 percent threshold to be crossed one day during that range.
It does not mean that the flowers will be at peak bloom for that entire date range. It also does not mean that you have to be there only on that specific day to catch the spectacle. More on that below.
I have more detail in a separate post explaining the ins and outs of peak bloom.
How accurate are peak bloom forecasts?
The NPS arborists are the first to point out that they’re not really confident in their prediction until about ten days out.
And nature has a way of being unpredictable sometimes, as the 2017 bloom proved. There are so many variables that can come into play, especially since the prediction is based on long-range weather forecasts a month or more out.
Sometimes, the predictions nail it. Other times, Mother Nature has other plans, and it’s not at all unusual for the forecasts to be revised as we get closer to the date as the actual weather conditions diverge from the long-range weather forecast the peak bloom predictions initially relied on.
So the peak bloom forecasts are the best information we have to go on, but that doesn’t mean things always pan out as expected, and it’s quite common for the forecasts to change. So be sure to keep checking in for any updates. I keep the peak bloom forecasts page up to date with the latest information.
Are there any other peak bloom forecasts?
The two to watch are the forecasts by the National Park Service and the Washington Post‘s Capital Weather Gang. Both typically issue their first forecasts for the season around the end of February or the beginning of March.
From time to time, there are some other forecasts issued that are worth noting, and I try to include them when possible. The weather team from the local NBC station, Storm Team 4, have also been making their own predictions in recent years, and I’ve sometimes started including those.
What month is cherry blossom season in Washington DC?
The cherry blossoms in Washington DC usually bloom around the end of March into early April. In recent years, they’ve trended toward the earlier end of that range.
What kinds of cherry blossom trees are in Washington DC?
There are about a dozen different kinds of cherry trees among the thousands around and near the Tidal Basin. The most famous and most numerous are Yoshino cherry trees. Probably the next most famous are the Kwanzan cherry blossoms, but they bloom a couple of weeks after the others and are mostly set back a short distance from the Tidal Basin itself.
Where can I see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC?
While there are cherry trees scattered throughout the region, by far the most famous ones are centered around the Tidal Basin and the area near the National Mall. These are the ones you’ve probably seen in photos with famous monuments like the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument.
I’ve put together a detailed guide on how to get to the cherry blossoms as well as some suggestions for alternate (and less crowded) places to find cherry blossoms in and around DC.
What If I Miss Them? What Can I See?
If you’re early . . .
Saucer Magnolias. If you’re early by a couple of weeks, you might catch the saucer magnolias. There are a few notable groves of saucer magnolias near the Tidal Basin and National Mall, but the most impressive of them is the Enid A. Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle.
If you’re late . . .
Kwanzan cherry blossoms. If you’re a little late for the main cherry blossom bloom, the timing might be good for another variety that blooms a little later. They’re known as the Kwanzan (or Kanzan) cherry blossoms, and while there are fewer of them, they’re especially pretty with larger and more colorful flowers. You can find more information on where to find them here.
Tulips. Tulips aren’t unique to this area, of course, but there does seem to be an unusually high concentration of them here, especially in prominent placements and beautiful settings. They tend to bloom a little later than the cherry blossoms, usually around early to mid-April, although there can also be overlap. I’ve put together some suggestions on where to find tulips in and around Washington, D.C.
2025 Cherry Blossom Ten Miler
The 2025 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run & 5K Run-Walk is scheduled for:
- 5K: April 5, 2025
- 10M: April 6, 2025
You can find more information, along with entry details, on their website.
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Add as Preferred Source- In recent years with mild winters, the trees sometimes never actually reach dormancy, making it difficult to pin down when to start the clock for GDD calculations. [↩]
Images and product information from Amazon Product Advertising API were last updated on 2026-02-12 at 21:20.
The 2026 Bloom
Progress So Far- Winter Dormant
- Waking Up
- Green Buds
- Florets Visible
- Florets Extended
- Peduncle Elongation
- Puffy White
- Peak Bloom
- Petals Falling
- Green Leaves
- Fall / Autumn
Hotels Near the Tidal Basin
- Canopy by Hilton
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Hyatt House
- InterContinental
- State Plaza Hotel
- Pendry
- Salamander
- Waldorf Astoria
Things to Do
- DC Events & Shows
- DC Tours
Reserve Parking
- SpotHero
- ParkMobile
Closest Airport
- Reagan National (DCA)
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