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elleng

(135,876 posts)
Thu Mar 25, 2021, 08:50 PM Mar 2021

Cherry blossoms reach 'peduncle elongation' stage; peak bloom likely about a week away.

'Thanks to mild weather, cherry blossom buds at the Tidal Basin are rapidly progressing through their six-stage cycle and have advanced to stage 4: peduncle elongation. Historically, when the cherry trees reach this stage, peak bloom is just six to 10 days away.

During peduncle elongation, the stalks bearing the blossom buds extend and the flowers become visible. When the buds reach their next stage, known as “puffy white,” the flowers begin to open. That could occur as soon as this weekend. Peak bloom usually occurs a few days later, defined as the day when 70 percent of the blossoms are open.

Given somewhat warmer-than-average temperatures forecast over the next 10 days, peak bloom should occur sometime between the tail end of March and first several days of April, in line with our forecast.

Assuming peak bloom occurs around April 1, that will be close to the recent 30-year average.

March 15, 1990, marks the earliest peak bloom on record while April 18, 1958, is the latest peak. Last year, peak bloom occurred March 20, tied for the third-earliest on record.'

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/03/25/cherry-blossoms-peduncle-elongation/?

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Cherry blossoms reach 'peduncle elongation' stage; peak bloom likely about a week away. (Original Post) elleng Mar 2021 OP
Maybe time for a trip. I've got airline $'s that Phoenix61 Mar 2021 #1
Sadly, the officials are still discouraging people from coming to look at the cherry blossoms this spooky3 Mar 2021 #2
I'll still avoid the crowds at the Tidal Basin because of COVID IronLionZion Mar 2021 #3
Yes, friend and have driven around Kenwood. elleng Mar 2021 #4
Cherry Blossom map for those exploring DC neighborhoods IronLionZion Mar 2021 #5
This is such a cool map! Hi DC'rs electric_blue68 Mar 2021 #6

Phoenix61

(17,587 posts)
1. Maybe time for a trip. I've got airline $'s that
Thu Mar 25, 2021, 08:57 PM
Mar 2021

are going to evaporate if I don’t use them. I really liked DC.

spooky3

(36,123 posts)
2. Sadly, the officials are still discouraging people from coming to look at the cherry blossoms this
Thu Mar 25, 2021, 08:59 PM
Mar 2021

year, because of COVID. But they are so beautiful.

IronLionZion

(46,929 posts)
3. I'll still avoid the crowds at the Tidal Basin because of COVID
Fri Mar 26, 2021, 07:39 AM
Mar 2021

it's fun to drive past it, but for walking about it's better to go to the various parks and neighborhoods that have cherry trees. The Arboretum is great, the Japanese-American memorial, Potomac Park, Stanton Park, Dumbarton Oaks, and Kenwood are also good choices.

elleng

(135,876 posts)
4. Yes, friend and have driven around Kenwood.
Fri Mar 26, 2021, 02:24 PM
Mar 2021

I'm 70 miles south now, and not likely to return for a drive around soon; maybe next year.

(Used to walk near Tidal Basin from WORK! THOSE were the days!)

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