1. Check the predictions for ‘peak bloom dates’. The entire blooming period can last up to 14 days, which includes the days leading up to peak bloom, which means around 70% of the trees are blooming. The irony is that the dates are reliably predictable around 10 days before the peak. And rains don’t help either. But I realized that peak is a relative term, if you are there within 3 days before it starts or around 3-5 days after it ends, you still get to experience the beauty.
Some links that might help in planning:
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/visitor-information/bloom-watch/
https://cherryblossomwatch.com/cherry-blossom-watch/
https://cherryblossomwatch.com/cherry-blossoms-progression/
There’s also the real-time earth cam you can checkout
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/dc/cherryblossoms/?cam=cherryblossoms
Have a great summer ahead!
Love
Tiptoes!