Cherry blossoms are starting to bloom in DC [Video]

WASHINGTON — It’s time to paint the town pink! The cherry blossoms have started stage one of the bloom process at the Tidal Basin. 

The trees reached stage one, green bud, on March 2, the National Park Service said. The next stage is florets visible. NPS estimates that peak bloom this year will be between March 23 and March 26. 

Here are the six stages NPS tracks: 

When Is peak bloom? 

NPS defines peak bloom as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open. Depending on the weather, this usually happens between the last week of March and the first week of April. Weather can cause some fluctuations with the date.  

How long does peak bloom last?

The beautiful cherry blossoms are on a bit of a time clock. NPS says Yoshino trees bloom for …