Predicting Peak Bloom

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From Inside Hook: Set to be held in person in 2022, the District celebrates the blooming of our cherry trees with a month-long festival commemorating the gift from the mayor of Tokyo to Washington, DC. in 1912. The festival includes formal events all around DC, including the Blossom Kite Festival, Petalpalooza, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, the Pink Tie Party and more. And, of course, lots of cherry tree peeping not only around the Tidal Basin but throughout the entire District. Peak bloom won’t be predicted until mid-February. The festival runs Mar. 20 – Apr. 17.Latest update on peak bloom:
March 20, also known as the spring equinox, marks the day when the sun crosses the equator and heads north. For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, that means lots to look forward to: longer hours of serotonin-boosting sunshine, warmer temperatures, and nature budding back to life.



Few cities undergo this seasonal transformation more beautifully and dramatically than Washington, D.C., with its 3,000-plus cherry blossom trees. Gifted to the nation's capital by Tokyo's mayor, Yukio Ozaki, back in 1912, they remain a visually striking symbol of renewal, hope, and friendship.

The natural phenomenon is so cherished that there's an annual National Cherry Blossom Festival (this year's event is being held in person from March 20 through April 17) that reportedly draws more than 1.5 million people. As for the best time to see the blooms? The National Park Service (NPS) made an official announcement at the Mandarin Oriental on March 1, predicting peak blooms from March 22 to 25.

Well, I do not arrive until April 4. Darn!!!! But I did hit it perfectly a few years ago. I guess once is better than not at all.

Now, for you naysayers on global warming, I think you need to re-evaluate your position. I won't make fun of you if you do.

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