Snowstorm Punishes Cherry Blossoms, Which Are Wilting Early At Tidal Basin In DC

WASHINGTON, DC — The snowstorm that swept through the area has had the unfortunate side effect of causing the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin and elsewhere in the D.C. area to start wilting before they could achieve their full glory. (Get more updates on the Washington, DC, cherry blossoms and other news via our news alerts and newsletter; subscribe to a Virginia Patch News Alert and Newsletter.)

The National Mall NPS (National Park Service) Twitter account warned on Friday that freezing temperatures sweeping into the region could damage the cherry blossoms as they started to bloom, and the snowfall since Monday night appears to have done them no favors.

The National Park Service also said that three nights of 24 degrees or below could kill off 90 percent of the blooms, according to ABC 7's Cheryl Conner, so it's important that the region starts to warm back up quickly if we want to enjoy them at their peak, which is expected to be March 19-22.

On Tuesday morning, the NPS noted that cherry blossoms were coated with ice and warned visitors to let the ice melt naturally as shaking the branches could cause damage to the tree.

The cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin are really trying to hang in there but it might be a losing battle. pic.twitter.com/WWF1y1LfgD
— Joseph Gruber (@JosephGruber) March 14, 2017

Cherry Blossoms a la mode in #Frederick #ABC7Snow @ABC7News pic.twitter.com/uEdE5W9YoI
— Brad Bell (@ABC7Brad) March 14, 2017

Cherry blossoms coated with ice. Pretty to look at, but please let it melt naturally; shaking can cause damage and breakage to the tree. pic.twitter.com/saW2yycILL
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 14, 2017

Image via NPS