Cherry blossoms just hit stage 4 and this is the part that gets giggles

Stage four is known as peduncle elongation and gets the most giggles out of the six stages of the cherry blossom blooming cycle.

“That’s when you can start to see the little pink tips elongate from the stem,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts said.

The final stage, peak bloom, is defined as when 70% of the Tidal Basin’s Yoshino cherry tree blossoms have opened. It’s the best time to visit the blossoms.

Peak bloom typically hits six to 10 days after stage 4, Ricketts said.

Storm Team4 predicts peak bloom will fall at the end of March. Storm Team4 and NPS both expect peak bloom to arrive on the later side due to the cool temperatures.

Cooler weather slows the blooming cycle, while warmer weather speeds it up.

The stages of the cherry blossom bloom cycle are: green buds, florets visible, extension of florets, peduncle elongation, puffy white and peak bloom.

You can send us YOUR peak bloom prediction; the person who gets the closest without going over will receive a cherry blossom-themed NBC4 & Telemundo 44 prize pack.

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