Blossoms are at “puffy white” repeat Puffy White “bloom period has begun”

Photo via National Mall NPS

From the National Park Service:

“Blossoms at “puffy white,” 1 stage from peak; bloom period has begun, 20% at full blossom. Warm weekend weather may put us over the top.”

Full release:

“The Yoshino cherry blossoms reached puffy white today, with 70% of the blossoms at that stage (or, more specifically, 70% of the blossoms that survived last week’s cold snap at that stage; roughly 50% of the Yoshino blossoms were killed by the cold temperatures).

The Yoshino trees are also at the start of the bloom period as of today, defined as when 20% of the blossoms are at full bloom. The bloom period starts several days before the peak bloom date and can last as long as 14 days, however, deep frost or high temperatures combined with wind or rain can shorten this period.

There probably won’t be much activity over the next 24 hours as temperatures will be at or below the 40 degree mark required for the development of the blossoms. But with the temperatures forecast for the 60s on Friday and 70s on Saturday, we expect to reach peak bloom this weekend. There is a lot of white around the Tidal Basin already (see attached ‘pagoda and blossoms’); peak bloom should still be a sight this year!”