Washington, D.C
Where to see D.C.’s iconic cherry blossoms as they hit peak bloom – WTOP News
From the best viewing spots to how long the bloom will stick around, here’s what you need to know before checking out the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin.
▶ Watch Video: How cherry blossoms arrived to the U.S.
Washington, D.C.’s iconic cherry blossoms reached the 2025 peak bloom on Friday, March 28, the National Park Service said, about a week after the city kicked off its annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
Thousands of trees with white and pink flowers circle the Tidal Basin and parks near some of the capital’s famous monuments and memorials.
Here’s what to know about where to see the cherry trees in bloom.
Tidal Basin cherry blossoms in peak bloom in Washington, D.C.
Peak bloom occurs when 70% of the blossoms of the Yoshino cherry trees, the most common type along the Tidal Basin, are open. The National Park Service, which tracks the blooming of the trees each year, announced peak bloom on March 28.
This year’s peak came slightly earlier than the average date, April 3, but more than 10 days later than 2024’s peak on March 17.
The timing of peak bloom varies each year, largely due to temperatures, with warmer temperatures leading to earlier peak blooms.
Since 1921, when the National Park Service began recording the dates, peak blooms have shifted earlier by about eight days, the Environmental Protection Agency says.
Where to see the D.C. cherry blossoms
The most famous place to see the cherry blossoms in the nation’s capital is around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. Many cherry trees are also along a section of the Potomac River and Washington Channel in East Potomac Park.
This year, construction that began in August 2024 to replace seawalls along the Potomac River and part of the Tidal Basin could affect the viewing of some of the cherry trees. The work is expected to last through 2026.
However, there are many other cherry trees throughout Washington, D.C. Casey Trees, a nonprofit that plants and cares for trees in the city, provides a map of where to see the blossoms across Washington. The map does not include trees on private property, the organization said.
How long will the cherry blossoms last in D.C.?
The Yoshino cherry trees usually bloom for several days, the National Park Service said, but weather conditions will affect the length of time.
“Cool, calm weather can extend the length of the bloom, and a rainy, windy day can bring an abrupt end to the ephemeral blossoms,” the agency said on its website. “A late frost can prevent the trees from blooming at all.”
Why does D.C. have cherry blossoms?
Japan gifted more than 3,000 cherry trees to the United States in 1912 as a symbol of friendship.
That year, first lady Helen Herron Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador, Viscountess Chinda Iwa, planted two of the Yoshino cherry trees along the Tidal Basin, the National Park Service notes in a history of the trees. In the next few years, the trees continued to be planted around the basin and other areas.
But the idea to plant Japanese cherry trees in the U.S. capital was raised as early as 1885 by a woman named Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore, a writer and diplomat, according to the National Park Service.
Despite her first request to the U.S. Army Superintendent of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds not going anywhere, she continued to ask and eventually wrote to Herron Taft, who helped bring the idea to life, the agency says.
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Spring Hill Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen, accompanied by Mayor Matt Fitterer, traveled to Washington D.C. to take part in a congressional briefing regarding water reclamation.
The panel was composed of five experts in the field, including Allen. He was flanked by representatives from Pepsi and Amazon, among others. Allen specifically focused on the impact of water resources on recruiting for economic development purposes.
“Spring Hill is expanding rapidly, and our industries — especially automotive manufacturing — rely on large volumes of high-quality water to operate,” Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen told congressional staffers. “By reusing water, we can reduce strain on the Duck River, ensure reliable supply for new and existing businesses, and protect our environment. It’s a smart
investment that balances economic expansion with environmental stewardship.”
While in Washington D.C., Allen and Fitterer also met with Senator Blackburn and Senator Hagerty’s offices, stressing the importance of water reclamation for Spring Hill.
“Spring Hill’s water reclamation pilot project will position us as the leader in water reclamation in Tennessee. We are committed to leading from the front and helping push forward this important initiative for all of Tennessee,” said Mayor Matt Fitterer. “Staff’s efforts have brought positive national attention to Spring Hill. Spring Hill residents deserve high quality and sustainable utilities. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen and City staff are committed to delivering for them.”
The City of Spring Hill is currently moving forward with plans for an Advanced Purification Pilot Project. The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation gave clearance to the pilot in August of last year.
The overall Advanced Purification Project plan outlines how the City of Spring Hill will maximize its fair share of water from the Duck River through extensive treatment processes at an expanded Wastewater Treatment Plant and accompanying reservoir.
Construction of the Advanced Purification Pilot Project is scheduled to begin later this year.
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Washington, D.C
Weekend road closures take over DC, Virginia as Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic kicks off – WTOP News
This weekend, you might encounter a detour or two in the District or in Arlington, Virginia, as the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic comes underway.
The first race of the day kicks off at 7 a.m. Saturday.
The following areas will be closed to traffic on Saturday from 4 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.:
-
- 12th Street South from South Eads Street to Crystal Drive
- S. Clark Street from 12th Street South to 14th Road South
- 14th Road South from South Clark Street to 15th Street South
- Westbound 15th Street South from Crystal Drive to South Eads Street
- South Eads Street from 12th Street South to Army Navy Drive
- Long Bridge Drive from 10th Street South to 12th Street South
- Richmond Highway from 20th Street South to Interstate 395
- Virginia Route 110 from Richmond Highway to Wilson Boulevard/Interstate 66
- Army Navy Drive from South Eads Street to 12th Street South
Crystal Drive from 12th Street South to 15th Street South will be open to local traffic only.
Additionally, all vehicles departing via Memorial Avenue will be unable to turn left onto Route 110 South from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Inbound traffic will be able to access Memorial Avenue via the George Washington Parkway and Memorial Circle from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The following areas will be closed to traffic on Sunday for the Armed Forces Cycling Classic Clarendon Cup from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
- Wilson Boulevard from North Edgewood Street to North Highland Street
- Wilson Boulevard from 10th Street North to Washington Boulevard
- North Fillmore Street from Clarendon Boulevard to Wilson Boulevard
- Clarendon Boulevard from Washington Boulevard to North Edgewood Street
- Washington Boulevard from Kirkwood Road to North Garfield Street
- Washington Boulevard from North Garfield Street to 10th Street North (westbound only)
- North Highland Street from Washington Boulevard to 13th Street North
- North Garfield Street from Clarendon Boulevard to Wilson Boulevard
Wilson Boulevard from North Highland Street to Washington Boulevard, will close earlier, starting at 3 a.m.
There will be no access to Clarendon Boulevard from North Fillmore Street. On North Highland Street, access to the public parking garage in the 1300 block of N. Highland Street will be available to the public.
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Washington, D.C
Tornado warning: Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and NYC on alert amid heavy thunderstorms
Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City are under heightened alert as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued Tornado Watch, effective until midnight EDT on Friday. The warning covers parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
The watch, announced by NWS offices in State College, PA, Mount Holly, NJ, and Wakefield, VA, warns of severe thunderstorms bringing risks of damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes across 22 counties and multiple coastal waters, including Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay.
The NWS Mount Holly office reported that the watch spans major urban centers, including Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Atlantic City, with potential hazards like ping pong ball-sized hail and wind gusts up to 65 mph. Coastal areas face additional threats from thunderstorms moving over waters from Sandy Hook, NJ, to Fenwick Island, DE. In Pennsylvania, Adams, Lancaster, and York counties, including Gettysburg and Lancaster, are at risk, while Virginia’s watch covers 53 counties, from Richmond to Virginia Beach.
Heavy rainfall accompanying the storms has raised concerns about flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas from eastern Kentucky to southern New York. The NWS warned of life-threatening flooding in urban zones like Philadelphia and Trenton, with up to one inch of rain already fallen and an additional 1–1.5 inches possible in some areas. Residents are urged to avoid flooded roads and seek shelter in sturdy buildings, ideally in basements or interior rooms away from windows.
Social media users and weather reporters noted a flash flood threat north of DC into the overnight hours. One forecaster confirmed the tornado watch for DC and Baltimore. The storms, fueled by a dynamic low-pressure system, could produce isolated tornadoes, prompting officials to advise immediate action if warnings are issued.
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