Cherry Blossoms Hit Peak Bloom Thursday: National Park Service

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The time has finally come! The cherry blossoms reached peak bloom on Thursday after weeks of delays due to cold weather, the National Park Service (NPS) announced.

Peak bloom will occur from April 5-8 thanks to last weekend's warm temperatures, the agency said.

The time to see the cherry blossoms is now. Peak bloom will last over the next four to seven days.

That is a lot later than their original projection, which was March 17-20. The average peak bloom happens around March 31, so the NPS went from expecting the cherry blossoms to peak early to a later-than-average bloom.

The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70 percent of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open, NPS notes.

The length of the blooming period depends on weather conditions. Cool, calm weather can extend the length of the bloom, and a rainy, windy day can bring an abrupt end to the ephemeral blossoms. A late frost can prevent the trees from blooming at all.

>> Click here to see our full cherry blossom guide, filled with events in Montgomery County and D.C.

Did you know you can view over 300 cherry blossom trees in Montgomery County parks?

It's no secret that Bethesda and Chevy Chase residents don't need to head to the Tidal Basin to enjoy the cherry blossoms that are Washington's springtime signature. Many opt instead to visit Kenwood, a Chevy Chase residential neighborhood that boasts 1,200 Yoshino trees — the same kind of trees that are situated around the Tidal Basin. Head to the neighborhood off River Road near Capital Crescent Trail.

Check out where the cherry trees are located throughout Montgomery County by using this handy map.

Celebrations are in full swing, and new to the agenda this year is Petalpalooza, debuting at the Wharf this Saturday.

Formerly the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, Petalpalooza will include games and activities, a Pop-Up Puppy Parklet, a roller rink, a beer garden, a fireworks show and more.

This free event will take place from 1-9:30 p.m. at 1100 Maine Ave. SW. The fireworks will go off at 8:30 p.m., weather permitting.

See more here: Cherry Blossom Festival: Petalpoolaza, Fireworks At The Wharf

Also coming up is one of DC's most anticipated events of the festival—and the year. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 14 at Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets NW.

Photo: SILVER SPRING, MD - APRIL 19: A cherry blossom tree, in Silver Spring, Maryland on APRIL 19. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)