Mike Litterst, a spokesperson for the National Mall and Memorial Parks, said the cherry blossoms offer a sense of hope for locals and tourists alike.

Peak bloom occurs when 70% of the blossoms of the Yoshino cherry trees, the most common type along the Tidal Basin, are open. The National Park Service, which tracks the blooming of the trees each year, predicts peak bloom will be between March 28 and 31 this year.