Washington DC Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Period
The Blooming Period starts several days before the Peak Bloom Date and can last as long as 14 days; however, frost or high temperatures combined with wind and/or rain can shorten this period. During the Blooming Period, the National Park Service conducts annual Cherry Tree walks and bike tours around the Tidal Basin. These Park Ranger conducted programs present an interpretive look at the historical and cultural influence of the Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees in our Nation's Capital. It is pretty much impossible to give an accurate forecast much more than 10 days before the Peak Bloom and each year National Park Service Horticulturists monitor 5 stages of bud development and provide a forecast and updates as needed. The following is a comparative record of past bud development in which 70% of the buds reached each stage:
Washington DC Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Past Record
| Year | Green Color In Buds | Florets Visible | Extension of Florets | Peduncle Elongation | Puffy White | Peak Bloom |
| | | | | | | |
| 2009 | | | | | | |
| 2008 | 2/19 | 3/11 | 3/17 | 3/19 | 3/24 | 3/29 |
| 2007 | 3/5 | 3/20 | 3/25 | 3/27 | 3/28 | 4/1 |
| 2006 | 2/28 | 3/13 | 3/14 | 3/16 | 3/22 | 3/30 |
| 2005 | 3/7 | 3/22 | 3/31 | 4/3 | 4/4 | 4/9 |
| 2004 | 3/4 | 3/12 | 3/15 | 3/22 | 3/27 | 3/31 |
| 2003 | 3/17 | 3/23 | 3/25 | 3/27 | 3/29 | 4/2 |
| 2002 | 3/7 | 3/14 | 3/18 | 3/20 | 3/27 | 4/2 |
| 2001 | 2/26 | 3/11 | 3/20 | 3/25 | 3/30 | 4/6 |
| 2000 | 2/29 | 3/8 | 3/9 | 3/10 | 3/14 | 3/17 |
| 1999 | 3/16 | 3/22 | 3/26 | 3/30 | 4/1 | 4/5 |
| 1998 | 2/13 | 3/1 | 3/8 | 3/10 | 3/23 | 3/27 |
| 1997 | 2/21 | 3/2 | 3/10 | 3/13 | 3/20 | 3/26 |
| 1996 | 2/29 | 3/15 | 3/18 | 3/25 | 3/30 | 4/4 |
| 1995 | 3/8 | 3/17 | 3/20 | 3/22 | 3/27 | 4/2 |
| 1994 | 3/8 | 3/20 | 3/25 | 3/29 | 4/1 | 4/5 |
| 1993 | 3/15 | 3/22 | 3/28 | 4/2 | 4/5 | 4/11 |
| 1992 | 3/7 | 3/15 | 3/23 | 3/31 | 4/1 | 4/5 |
