D.C's cherry blossoms just hit their earliest peak bloom in 20 years. Here's why scientists say it'll keep happening earlier.

The iconic pink and white blossoms that transform Washington, D.C. at the beginning of spring have officially hit their earliest peak bloom recorded in at least 20 years. It's one of the earliest days it's happened in the area on record – and experts say it will likely keep shifting earlier. 

Peak bloom occurs when 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms planted around D.C. open up. According to the National Park Service, this usually happens between the last week of March and the first week of April. From 2004 to 2023, the annual peak mostly occurred between March 25 and April 10, with a few exceptions where it happened as early as March 20. 

The service predicted on its website that peak bloom would occur this year between March 23 and March 26, but in an update on Sunday, the service's National Mall and Memorial Parks posted an update on social media.