I made hotel reservations for the weekend of April 16-17 to avoid the crowds and get a better deal on the hotel.
Is it too late?
Will we get to see nothing of the cherry blossoms?

The cherry trees that the festival is all about will probably be finished. But there are other types of cherry trees that bloom later. Last year, we stayed at the Marriott Wardman Park (near the Woodley Park Metro station) in mid-April and the cherry trees on their property were in full bloom.

I live about an hour north of DC and have been following the progress of the flowers closely. This year March has been just plain terrible. Most days in March have been in the 40s with an incredible amount of rain and fog. We have rarely seen the sun this year.

This has been the coldest March since 1983.

I bet the CB will not come out to maybe April 10th and will still be blooming in mid April.

Check this website for updates.

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfest...dex.php?id=404

Cherry Blossoms are supposed to peak between April 4th to 9th. They will probably be mostly done by the 16th, although they can sometimes last up to 14 days from peak.

But, Anonymous is right about other cherry trees.

If the weather stays cooler, that would delay the peak and give you a better chance.

Karen

The forecast for later this week sis for temps in the 60s and 70s. The trees will probably be playing catch-up and get back on schedule.

Forecast has been changed. 70 is out, now the forecast is for high fifties and more rain.

Best estimate for the Cherry Bloosoms is now April 12th.

Sheesh, when I posted yesterday -- less than 24 hours ago -- I actually checked with wunderground. My dd is in college in DC and I was curious what weather she'd have in the coming week.

Now, where's that thread about the accuracy of long-range forecasts??

http://www.nps.gov/nacc/cherry/updated.htm


According to this site "Extension of Florets" occured on 03/31/05

And on average "Peak bloom" occurs 12-17 days from "Extension of Florets"

So are we looking at April 12-17 for peak bloom?
"Extension of Florets"

Nope. The official Peak Bloom dates have, however, been adjusted; it originally was April 4 - 9 and now it's 7 - 9.

Botanically, plants that are behind their average dates, as the cherry trees now are, will make huge effort to play catch-up on any warm days, and the 5-day forecast is for temps in the 60s.

That 12-17 day interval is an average; it has been as little as 9 days, just 2 years ago; the latest peak bloom in the past decade or more was April 11.

To view cherry blossoms in the tidal basin, which train station should I get off if I am coming from "Largo Metro Station"(East), along the blue line, towards DC.

The plan is to get there in the morning.

Please let me know about the points from where I can begin and end our walk.

Thanks
njs

Get off at the Smithsonian station, its the closest to the Tidal Basin.

The Smithsonian has two exits, the one on 12th and Independence Ave is closest to the Tidal Basin.

If you visit in the afternoon - take Blueline to Arlington Cemetary. Cross over bridge & head to FDR Memorial & continue walk counter-clockwise around basin, finishing at/near 14th. You could continue along north of basin & view WWII Memorial, or even continue all the way back to your start.

(I suggest for PM as sun will be behind you most of the walk, better view/pix)