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Officials from the National Park Service recently moved the peak date for the Yoshino cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., forward to April 1 this year, but blooms should hold up through much of the first week of April.

Peak bloom is when approximately 70 percent or more of the blooms are open.

Experts originally anticipated the peak bloom to be a bit later, but by only a few days.

A few very warm days during mid-March and to end this week, as well as slightly above-average temperatures over the winter will contribute to the slightly earlier peak than average.

The average bloom date is April 4, since 1921, when the trees were gifted from Japan to the United States. However, the average bloom date has trended earlier over the years.

This year, enthusiasts may want to take advantage of building warmth into Saturday, March 30, followed by dry and sunny conditions in store on Monday and Tuesday, April 1 and 2, and perhaps Wednesday and Thursday, April 3 and 4, of next week.

Breezy and warm conditions with some sunshine are forecast by AccuWeather meteorologists for the Blossom Kite Festival, formerly the Smithsonian Kite Festival, at the Washington Monument grounds on Saturday.

South to southwest winds averaging 10-20 mph are anticipated, which should make for great kite-flying conditions during the late morning and afternoon hours. Temperatures are expected to peak well into the 70s on Saturday.

“Temperatures on Saturday will soar to 15 to 25 degrees above average,” according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Faith Eherts. “The warmth will be comparable to that of mid-May.”

Rain and a breeze are in the offing on Sunday, March 31, just before the anticipated peak bloom on Monday along the Tidal Basin.

Slightly cooler weather is in store for Monday and Tuesday with highs in the middle 50s.

It is unlikely that Sunday’s rain will be heavy enough to significantly damage the blossoms, which are generally the sturdiest just prior to and during peak bloom.