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Spring is coming: Washington, D.C.'s iconic cherry trees will soon begin to bloom

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Spring is coming: Washington, D.C.'s iconic cherry trees will soon begin to bloom


It’s cherry blossom season again, and officials in the nation’s capital are predicting a banner year for the signature pink blooms. To herald the iconic blossoms, the nation’s capital has prepared several weeks of events, including a parade, concerts and fireworks for both locals and visitors who flood the city annually for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Based on hotel reservation numbers, organizers are expecting the number of tourists to reach 1.5 million for the first time since before the pandemic.

Here’s a primer on Washington’s iconic flowering trees.

When will the cherry trees reach peak bloom?

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HERE’S WHEN POPULAR DC CHERRY BLOSSOMS ARE FORECAST TO PEAK

National Park Service officials estimate that peak bloom will begin between March 23 and March 26 and run for about 10 days. That’s when 70% of the city’s 3,700 cherry trees will be flowering. The overall cherry blossom season will run from March 20 through April 14.

Where are the best places to see the trees?

The capital’s highest concentration of cherry trees is around the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial, a short walk from the National Mall. However, cherry blossoms are scattered throughout the capital city’s neighborhoods.

Officials recommend that people take public transportation because parking is at a minimum.

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What events are planned?

Cherry blossom time is regarded locally as the unofficial start of Washington’s tourist season, and organizers have planned a host of events. Area restaurants also traditionally roll out various cherry blossom-flavored specialties from martinis to milkshakes.

Jeffrey Reinbold, National Park Service Superintendent for the National Mall and Memorial Parks, announces the peak bloom for the cherry blossoms during a news conference in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The full list is events available on the Cherry Blossom Festival website. Some highlights include:

—The Blossom Kite Festival around the Washington Monument on March 30.

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—The Cherry Blossom Parade on April 13.

—The Petalpalooza music and arts festival at the Capital Riverfront on April 6, with fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

How did Washington get its cherry trees?

The tradition dates back to 1912, when the mayor of Tokyo gifted Washington with 3,000 trees. The Japanese Embassy remains heavily involved in the annual festival and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will make an official visit to Washington this year during the festival on April 10.

Why are the cherry trees blooming earlier than in the past?

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Officials point to climate change and say the impact may be accelerating. Steadily rising global temperatures have resulted in peak bloom creeping a little earlier each year. In 2013, the peak bloom was on April 9, about two weeks later than the current date.

Jeff Reinbold, the superintendent of the National Mall and memorial parks for the National Park Service, said a hotter-than-usual January essentially confused the trees and prevented them from entering their normal and necessary winter dormant period.

“This has been a puzzling year to read the trees,” he said. “We are seeing the effects of both warmer and highly variable temperatures on the trees.”

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Officials have also warned that the hundreds of trees around the Tidal Basin are under threat from creeping floodwaters due to rising sea levels.

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Washington, D.C

Storm Team4 Forecast: Chance of severe storms before cooler Monday

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Storm Team4 Forecast: Chance of severe storms before cooler Monday


4 things to know about the weather:

  1. Storms overnight, severe chance
  2. Cooler Monday
  3. Clouds to start, then sunshine tomorrow
  4. Cold next few mornings

After a very warm afternoon, there is a cold front that is approaching. The front will move through the area tonight, sparking showers and storms, then delivering colder air for the start of the new workweek.

There is a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH for our counties to the far northwest, including Maryland counties Washington, Allegany and Garrett, and a portion of Morgan county in West Virginia. The watch is until 10 p.m. Sunday.

There is a chance for storms to be severe tonight, including the risk of damaging winds and hail. The risk decreases through the night as the storms move south and east with the front. The storms may be noisy tonight with thunder, heavy rain, and hail. Expect drier conditions after sunrise tomorrow.

Do not forget your jacket Monday. The cooler air behind the front keeps the area in the 50s all day. Lows will drop into the 30s Monday night.

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Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

QuickCast

TONIGHT:
Storms, severe possible
Wind: N 5-10 mph
Low: Mid 50s

MONDAY:
Showers before sunrise
AM clouds, afternoon sun
Wind: NNW 10-15 mph
Gusts @ 25 mph
High: Mid-Upper 50s

TUESDAY:
Mostly sunny
Wind: N light
High: Low 50s

WEDNESDAY:
Sun & Clouds
Wind: SW 5-10 mph
High: Lower 60s

SUNRISE: 7:06 AM          SUNSET: 7:22 PM
AVERAGE HIGH: 58         AVERAGE LOW: 40

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Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.



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DC weather: Taste of summer turns to storms Sunday night into Monday morning

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DC weather: Taste of summer turns to storms Sunday night into Monday morning


Forecasters are calling for a near-perfect spring setup on Sunday, with plenty of sunshine, blooming cherry blossoms, and temperatures soaring into the low to mid-80s across much of the region.

However, the warm, quiet weather won’t last long.

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By the numbers:

After a cool start in the upper 40s and low 50s, temperatures are rising quickly under sunny skies. Many areas are expected to climb into the 80s this afternoon, with some spots pushing the mid to upper 80s.

It’s a brief but welcome preview of summer, and conditions couldn’t be better for getting outside.

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With cherry blossoms nearing peak bloom, it’s an ideal day to head to the Tidal Basin, take a walk, or spend time outdoors with family and friends.

What we know:

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A strong cold front moving in from Pennsylvania will bring increasing clouds later on Sunday, followed by a chance for showers and thunderstorms late Sunday night into early Monday.

Some storms could produce damaging winds or even small hail, especially to the north.

By Monday, the cold front pushes through, bringing a noticeable change.

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  • Gusty winds up to 30+ mph develop in the afternoon
  • Temperatures fall back to more typical early spring levels
  • Morning showers taper off, with improving conditions later in the day

What’s next:

Looking ahead, the pattern stays active.

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After a brief warm-up into the 60s midweek, another strong cold front is expected Thursday into Friday, bringing the next chance for unsettled weather.

The Source: Information from this article was provided by the FOX 5 Weather Team.

Washington, D.C.Weather
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Military deployment in D.C. could get extended until end or President Trump’s term

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Military deployment in D.C. could get extended until end or President Trump’s term


The District is reacting to the Pentagon’s alleged plan to keep National Guard members deployed in Washington, D.C. until 2029, the end of President Trump’s term, and his mission to make D.C. safe and beautiful.

At least 2,500 National Guard members have patrolled D.C. streets since last August.

ALSO READ | Judge rules National Guard deployment into DC was illegal; ruling faces appeal

Their deployment was initially scheduled to end in 2025. Then it was extended until the end of 2026. But now this could be home base for another three years.

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Two U.S. officials told ABC News that the agency is planning to maintain a presence in the city through early 2029.

“We don’t need to have theater on our streets,” said Tropper Sanders, who has lived in the District for nearly 30 years.

The president first deployed the National Guard last summer, even as the District was already seeing historically low crime rates.

“There are crime and safety issues, but that should be handled with law enforcement and government,” said Sanders. “I think at a time when we are at war, we are expecting so much of our service members. We should not use their time in ways that are not essential.”

Some residents and city leaders said the military has helped clean up the city, but not with crime. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said he does not see the point of keeping the National Guard in D.C.

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“I know that the President said it was all about law and order,” he said. “The National Guard does not do law enforcement. What I see is them walking around, during the snow, creating a path they were very good at, shoveling snow.”

Residents like Shanti Israni told 7News their presence is noticeable.

“They open people’s doors,” said Israni. “If there are people who need help with groceries, they’ve helped the people with groceries. They’re helping. But also, my hope is that people in the community can also fill that role.”

Mendelson said the deployment is costing taxpayers significantly.

“It could be $1.6 million a day,” said Mendelson. “That’s like between almost $400 million and $600 million a year. I don’t get the point.”

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If they are ordered to stay, community members told 7News they want the city to put the services to good use.

“The mayor or the next mayor should really look at where the true hotspots or issues are where we can make the most of these servicemembers’ time,” said Tropper. “That does not necessarily have to be about crime. There are a lot of things that we can deploy these talented people to deal with. If we have to do this, then let’s at least figure out how the District can be so much better in 2029.”

“I also realize that the people making these decisions probably know a lot that we don’t,” said Israni. “If our country’s at war, I wonder if risks in D.C. will increase. If D.C. will become more of a target, maybe in that way it might be helpful to have people, but, if again, if the mission is keeping D.C. safe and beautiful, D.C.’s saving people already.”

A Pentagon spokesperson told ABC News, “The Department of War is committed to supporting the president’s mission to address the epidemic of crime in the nation’s capital. There are no announcements to make at this time.”

The District has been pushing back on the president’s deployment, with expectations of continuing to do so.

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SEE ALSO | Legal questions grow over National Guard’s long-term presence in DC

“There’s pending litigation now,” said Mendelson. “The attorney general won preliminarily, and then it went up to the court of appeals, where there was a stay. It’s all pending. There’s further legal argument.”

Officials told ABC News the deployment plan was finalized last year and is awaiting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s signature.



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