When is peak time to see cherry blossoms bloom in Washington, D.C., in 2020?
Recent spurts of warm temperatures have early spring flowers breaking through the ground.
The warm weather also brings cherry blossoms to mind.
According to cherryblossomwatch.com, the indicator tree in Washington, D.C., has started to flower.
The National Park Service says the popular cherry trees in the nation’s capital are at the “florets visible” stage, which is the second of six stages of development. The blooms are just starting to pop at this stage.
When is peak bloom for the cherry blossoms?
Although the park service said it’s nearly impossible to forecast peak bloom more than 10 days in advance, officials believe the best viewing time will be between March 27 and 30.
Last year, trees were in the second stage of development on March 17 and peak bloom started on April 1.
Trees reached the second stage on March 1 in 2017, the only year since 2004 that was earlier than this year.
National Cherry Blossom Festival, where to see blooms
The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 to April 12 this year. It features a variety of activities, including a pink tie party on March 20, opening ceremony on March 21, blossom kite festival on March 28, parade on April 4 and petalpalooza on April 11.
Washington.org lists the best viewing areas to be anywhere on the banks of the Tidal Basin, steps of the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Japanese Lantern, U.S. National Arboretum, Gardens of Dumbarton Oaks, Hans Point Loop Trail and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
You can take all of the photos and video you want, but you can’t pick any of the blossoms.
That’s illegal.
What about concerns over the coronavirus?
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said "we are open for business, and expect to welcome thousands of people to our city over the next few weeks." Bowser said there are not confirmed cases of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the district.
The city is monitoring the virus's impact and will work on prevention, preparedness and response — if it's necessary.
"If the situation remains the same, we feel that people are still going to come," Diana Mayhew, president of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, told USA TODAY.
Shelly Stallsmith is a trends reporter for the York Daily Record. She can be reached at mstallsmith@ydr.com or followed on Twitter at @ShelStallsmith.