WASHINGTON — Peak bloom for D.C.’s iconic cherry blossoms is expected Thursday, according to the National Park Service, arriving earlier than previous forecasts.

NPS Spokesperson Mike Litterst told WUSA9 meteorologist Kaitlyn McGrath the trees were close on Wednesday but had not yet reached the threshold.

“Only about 50% of the trees were in blossom. Seventy percent is the magic number,” Litterst said. “The forecast tomorrow, there is no question we will call peak bloom tomorrow.”

On Monday, the blossoms reached stage five, known as puffy white blossoms. That is the final stage before peak bloom. The blooming process began on March 11 and progressed quickly through the stages in less than two weeks.

The National Park Service had projected peak bloom between March 29 and April 1. Warmer temperatures appear to have accelerated the timeline.

Weather will play a key role in how long the blossoms last. Rain and wind are expected later this week, but Litterst said that should not have a major impact right away.

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“These trees are just now blossoming. Tomorrow, even into Friday, those petals are going to still be hanging on nice and strong. It won’t ruin the show Friday if we get some rain,” Litterst said.

The most popular place to see the blossoms remains the Tidal Basin, where large crowds are expected during peak bloom.

Visitors will also notice progress on the tidal basin seawall reconstruction project. Litterst said the project is ahead of schedule and under budget, but some new walkways will remain closed during peak bloom to protect newly planted trees.

Park officials encourage people to visit early in the bloom period, before peak crowds arrive, as the cherry blossoms begin their brief but highly anticipated display.

The best way to get to the Tidal Basin is by metro, as driving will likely leave you sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic with nowhere to park.

You can also see plenty of cherry blossoms across the DMV, not just the Tidal Basin.

WUSA9 will have live coverage from the Tidal Basin all day Thursday as we approach peak bloom. Say hello to Lesli Foster, Lorenzo Hall, and Kaitlyn McGrath. If you have the WUSA9 app downloaded on your phone, you can get a free pair of WUSA9 sunglasses from our team on-site.