After weeks of temperature swings in the province, it looks like we’re finally in for more consistently warm spring temperatures as we end off the month, which means cherry blossoms will soon be blooming!
According to the latest Sakura Watch update on April 18, Steve announced that the cherry blossom buds have officially reached Stage 3 of development — a key milestone indicating that the trees remain on track for their typical blooming period between late April and early May.
With daytime highs expected to stay in the double digits over the next week, the buds are now showing more rounded shapes and are just starting to reveal their florets. This progression suggests they will likely enter Stage 4 soon, keeping them on schedule for a bloom in the first week of May.
Despite the unpredictability of spring weather, Sakura Watch has identified consistent patterns over the years. Unlike last year, where the trees began to bloom in mid-April after a milder-than-average winter, the trend for this spring suggests a return to the usual blooming window.
If the forecast remains stable, the cherry blossoms are expected to peak between April 29 and May 9 — with the first weekend of May likely to be the highlight.
“Of course, any changes in the weather, like heatwaves or cold spells, may change the dates, but so far, we seem to be headed for a peak bloom into the first weekend of May”, he states on the blog.
Steve will continue his weekly visits leading up to the bloom and will continue to track the buds’ progression and help refine these predictions.
As Sakura season draws near, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the cherry blossoms with care and respect. Please refrain from picking or breaking the blossoms, pulling down or shaking the branches, climbing the trees, or leaving litter in or around the area.