The District of Columbia’s iconic cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin unexpectedly hit peak bloom on St. Patrick’s Day, six days earlier than predicted and before the start of this year’s national festival.

The National Park Service announced Sunday that recent warm weather swings enticed the cherry trees into their second-earliest peak bloom after March 15, 1990.

“PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! Did we say PEAK BLOOM?! The blossoms are opening & putting on a splendid spring spectacle. See you soon,” the park service posted on X.

The federal agency had estimated that 70% of the roughly 3,750 Yoshino cherry trees lining the basin would open their puffy white blossoms on March 23-26, but warned that the warmest January on record could change that prediction.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to run from March 20 to April 14.

• Sean Salai can be reached at ssalai@washingtontimes.com.