Early Cherry Blossom Bloom Possible: Report (ICYMI)

Editor's note: This article was originally posted earlier this week.

The weather in the D.C. area is going to be absolutely insane on Wednesday, with temperatures soaring near 80 degrees despite being the middle of February. And that could have a big impact on the cherry blossoms, according to a report.

WTOP reports that while it is too early to determine when the cherry blossoms will reach peak bloom this year, we do know that warm weather tends to speed up the date.

The report adds that we've only had a couple days in the 70s, and just a couple of days isn't going to make a big difference. If the warm weather sticks around, however, that could certainly factor into the equation.

Either way, the National Parks Service will make an announcement March 1 on their projected bloom date. Typically, the cherry blossoms take on their pink and white hues between the middle of March and middle of April, so if the warm weather sticks around we could see peak bloom toward the earlier part of that time frame.

But there is a risk to early blooms. Last year, warm weather brought the blooms out early, and as a result half the blossoms died when a sudden cold snap in late March hit them when they were most vulnerable.

Image via National Parks Service