Cherry Blossoms Reach Peak Bloom on Target in Washington, DC

cherry blossoms in washington, dc
AP Photo/ Evan Vucci

The Associated Press, April 10, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Park Service says Washington's cherry blossom trees have reached peak bloom this week as predicted.

The park service says the trees reached peak bloom Thursday. That means at least 70 percent of the trees around the Tidal Basin are blossoming with pink and white flowers.

This year's peak bloom comes slightly later than average due to cold weather. The average bloom date since 1992 is March 31. Last year they reached peak bloom on April 9. The trees bloomed as late as April 18 in 1958. Park officials had predicted a peak bloom this year between April 8 and April 12.

The Yoshino cherry trees usually bloom for several days. The length of the blooming period depends on the weather.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs through Sunday.