Cherry blossom buds. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
This is not scientific, nor based on any expert opinion, only a personal visit to
the Tidal Basin on Tuesday morning: The cherry blossoms are NOT blooming. In
fact, it is no surprise the National Park Service had to postpone the expected peak
bloom date. Originally predicted for today, it is now expected
to start next Wednesday, April 3. Even that seems a challenge, given the very tight
appearance of the buds.
The reason the peak blossom period has been postponed is, obviously, the unseasonably
cold weather. Temps are inching up to the high 40s, but the nights can dip below freezing.
It’s good, then, that the blossoms are still in the bud stage. That protects them
from the cold, ice, snow—if any kind of wintry mix should happen again as it did on
Monday.
Even if the cherry blossoms are not on schedule, the National Cherry Blossom Festival
is fully underway, and the tourists have arrived in town in large numbers. Sadly,
they march around the Tidal Basin in search of pink flowers that just aren’t there.
The stretch of West Potomac Park public parking that runs along the Potomac River
from the Jefferson Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday morning was tour buses
as far as the eye could see.
The festival ends April 14.
Buses near the Tidal Basin. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The Tidal Basin Only Has Buds, Not Cherry Blossoms (Photos)
Cold weather means no pretty pink flowers yet, but still lots of visitors.
This is not scientific, nor based on any expert opinion, only a personal visit to
the Tidal Basin on Tuesday morning: The cherry blossoms are NOT blooming. In
fact, it is no surprise the National Park Service had to postpone the expected peak
bloom date. Originally predicted for today, it is now expected
to start next Wednesday, April 3. Even that seems a challenge, given the very tight
appearance of the buds.
The reason the peak blossom period has been postponed is, obviously, the unseasonably
cold weather. Temps are inching up to the high 40s, but the nights can dip below freezing.
It’s good, then, that the blossoms are still in the bud stage. That protects them
from the cold, ice, snow—if any kind of wintry mix should happen again as it did on
Monday.
Even if the cherry blossoms are not on schedule, the National Cherry Blossom Festival
is fully underway, and the tourists have arrived in town in large numbers. Sadly,
they march around the Tidal Basin in search of pink flowers that just aren’t there.
The stretch of West Potomac Park public parking that runs along the Potomac River
from the Jefferson Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday morning was tour buses
as far as the eye could see.
The festival ends April 14.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Best of Washington 2023: Things to Eat, Drink, Do, and Know Right Now
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
Rockville Police Are Searching for Culprits of a $4,500 Pickleball Paddle Heist
Dozens of Vintage Planes Will Fly Over the National Mall This Saturday
PHOTOS: “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Queens Work It at the National Mall
Meet the NIH Detectives Cracking Medicine’s Toughest Cases
5 of DC’s Most Interesting Ideas for Revitalizing Chinatown
A “Corpse Flower” Is Currently in Bloom at the Botanic Garden
How Emma’s Torch Is Changing the Lives of Its Refugee Workers
Former Fiola GM Convicted of Murder Is Now in a Netflix Docuseries