March warmth hastens the arrival of cherry blossoms

 

Spring splendor in the nation's capital

Although March 2025 will finish as a significantly warmer than average month in the nation’s capital, there hasn’t been any record warmth. Overall, 20 of the first 23 days of March were warmer than average, including four days that highs reached the 70s.

Large fluctuations in temperature occurred throughout the month. DC residents went from a January-like high of 42° on March 2, to an April-like high of 65° on March 4. The coldest temperature of the month (23°) was on March 2, compared to the warmest temperature of 79° on March 20. DC’s average March temperature (combining daily high/low temperatures) is 51.7° through March 23.

The nation’s capital averages 3.50” of March rainfall, according to NOAA’s updated weather averages for the 30-year period from 1991-2020. However, only 1.35” has fallen as of March 23. Unless a significant amount of rain occurs over the final week of the month, March 2025 could finish as DC’s driest since 2016 (1.16”). Although the nation’s capital averages 2” of March snowfall, none will occur this year. That’s unlike six the last 10 March’s when Washingtonians experienced accumulating snowfall.

Aside from the large swings in temperature, this month’s major weather theme is how warm it’s been overall. That led to an earlier than average anticipated peak bloom of DC’s cherry blossoms. The National Park Service said the DC’s famous cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin could reach stage 6 or “peak bloom” any day now. The blossoms reached stage 5 “Puffy  White” on March 23. According to the National Park Service “peak bloom” occurs when 70% of the buds bloom at the Tidal Basin.

DC’s Warmest March’s (Source: NOAA)

1. 56.8° (2012)
2. 56.2° (1945)
3. 55.5° (1921)
4. 53.5° (2016)
5. 53.2° (2020)
6. 53.0° (1946)
7. 52.7° (1977)
8. 51.9° (2024)
9. 51.7° (2000)
10. 51.5° (1979)

47.6° - Average

DC’s Coldest March’s (Source: NOAA) 

1. 34.5° (1885)
2. 35.4° (1872)
3. 35.6° (1960)
4. 37.4° (1888)
5. 37.6° (1906, 1883)
6. 37.7° (1892)
7. 37.9° (1916)
8. 38.5° (1896, 1887)
9. 38.6° (1891)
10. 38.8° (1915, 1900)

47.6° - Average