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Cherry blossoms in nation’s capital reach peak bloom

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Cherry blossoms in nation’s capital reach peak bloom


WASHINGTON – The National Park Service has announced that the iconic cherry blossoms surrounding the Tidal Basin in the nation’s capital have reached their peak bloom, signaling what will be the gradual end of the season. 

Every year, nearly 2 million people flock to Washington, D.C., to witness the stunning display of more than 3,000 cherry trees in full bloom.

The annual cherry blossom event is highly dependent on the climate, which has shifted over the years, leading to earlier blooms. 

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The NPS considers trees to be in peak bloom when 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees are flowering, marking the height of the spectacle.

While there are about a dozen varieties of cherry trees in the District of Columbia, the Yoshino and Kwanzan varieties are the most prevalent.

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Preliminary data suggests that the 2025 season ranks among the top 20 earliest peak blooms recorded, though it falls short of the 2024 season, which saw the second-earliest bloom in modern history.

The average peak bloom date for the cherry blossoms in Washington is April 3, but the date can vary significantly from year to year, with the latest occurring on April 18, 1958.

The blossoms typically remain in bloom for about ten days, although this period can be shortened based on local weather conditions. 

Late season freezes, rainy or even windy weather can significantly impact how long the trees stay in peak bloom.

Though the cherry blossoms are an iconic symbol of the District of Columbia, they are not native to the mid-Atlantic.

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The trees originally came from Japan and were donated as part of a friendship gift in the early 1900s.

This year’s bloom comes amid a major restoration project along the Tidal Basin. 

Nearly 200 trees that directly line the waterway were removed over the past year as part of a more than $100 million rehabilitation project, designed to increase flood protection around the low-lying region.

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By the time the project concludes in 2027, the NPS estimates that nearly 500 trees will be replanted around the district, including more than 250 cherry trees, ensuring that the iconic landscape remains a key attraction.

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In conjunction with the cherry blossoms, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which began on March 20, will run through April 13. 

The festival honors both the beauty of the trees and the cultural connection between the United States and Japan, drawing visitors from around the globe.

As the cherry blossom season begins to wind down, the NPS encourages visitors to continue to enjoy the sights of the trees but refrain from touching the petals.

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Flu cases surging around DMV region

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Flu cases surging around DMV region


Flu cases are climbing sharply across the D.C. region, with new CDC data showing at least 11 million cases nationwide so far. Health officials say a new variant now accounts for roughly 90% of recent infections.

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FOX 5’s Stephanie Ramirez says local health departments are urging residents not to wait if they start feeling sick.

READ MORE: Maryland health officials warn of flu surge as hospitalizations rise statewide

The dominant strain this season is H3N2 subclade K, which has been circulating since September. So far, the flu season has led to an estimated 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths, with older adults hit especially hard.

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Maryland is currently reporting high flu activity, according to state health department data.

READ MORE: Flu cases surging in northern Virginia, health officials say

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In Arlington, emergency department–diagnosed flu visits jumped from 19 on Dec. 6 to 120 on Dec. 27 — an over five times increase, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Fairfax County, a much larger jurisdiction, saw flu-related ER visits rise from 121 on Dec. 6 to 788 by Dec. 27, an over six-and-a-half-time increase.

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Traffic changes in DC Monday evening for ‘Freedom 250′ fireworks show

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Traffic changes in DC Monday evening for ‘Freedom 250′ fireworks show


Numerous roads in D.C. will be closed to traffic Monday evening for a fireworks show celebrating America’s 25th birthday.

Projectors have lit up all four sides of the Washington Monument nightly since 7 p.m. Wednesday for the “Illumination of America: Washington Monument Lighting.” The fireworks that lit up the National Mall on New Year’s Eve are making a return Monday night, which is the last night of the display.

The grand finale of the display comes with some parking restrictions and street closures.

Street and parking restrictions for Freedom 250 fireworks

D.C. police said Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 17th Street NW will be an Emergency No Parking zone from roughly 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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The following streets will be closed to traffic from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:

  • Westbound 395 – no traffic toward Maine Avenue/Independence Avenue, SW
  • Independence Avenue from 15th Street to 23rd Street, SW
  • Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 12th Street, NW (westbound traffic will be restricted)
  • Constitution Avenue from 12th Street to 23rd Street, NW
  • Virginia Avenue from 20th Street to 18th Street, NW
  • 19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to New York Avenue, NW
  • 15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  • 14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  • Madison Drive from 7th Street to 14th Street, NW

Police said all street closures and listed times are subject to change.

“Freedom 250 is lighting up the Washington Monument as the world’s tallest birthday candle to kick off the nation’s 250th birthday year,” Keith Krach, CEO of Freedom 250, said ahead of the New Year’s Eve event.

Freedom 250 is the presidentially appointed committee planning the year-long celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. It was created by the second Trump administration as part of the Department of the Interior, and is a separate organization from America250, which was created by Congress.

The event will “be looking at America’s past, present and what’s to come over the next 250 years,” Krach said.

“Primarily it will focus on the four pillars of Freedom 250, which is innovation; it’s also community and faith; it’s also on the beauty of our country as well,” Krach said. “And, you know, the other thing that’s great about that is that it’ll be something that will kind of be an animation and I think everybody’s going to enjoy it. So from adults to kids and everything.”

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The event is free to the public, can be viewed from anywhere on the National Mall, and does not require tickets.



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Washington DC Pedestrian killed struck crash collision I-295 DC-295

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Washington DC Pedestrian killed struck crash collision I-295 DC-295


On Saturday evening, Metropolitan Police Department’s Seventh District officers responded to a fatal crash on I-295 northbound near Exit 1 for Laboratory Road, Southwest.

The incident occurred around 7:50 p.m. when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle, police said.

READ MORE | Notorious 295 speed camera rakes in $26M, while DC residents question its legitimacy

Prince George’s County police officers were already on the scene when the MPD officers arrived.

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The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have not yet released the victim’s age or gender.

ALSO SEE | Woman killed after pedestrian-vehicle crash in Fairfax County

The driver of the vehicle involved in the collision remained at the scene.

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Police urge anyone with information about the incident to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.



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