Park Service revises prediction for peak of cherry blossoms

WASHINGTON (AP) — Unseasonably warm weather has prompted the National Park Service to revise its prediction for peak blooms for Washington's cherry blossom trees.

The agency said in a news release Tuesday that it has revised the projected dates to March 18-23. Peak bloom is when 70 percent of the trees around the Tidal Basin are in blossom.

Last week, the National Park Service announced the projected dates were between March 31 and April 3.

The agency says next week's potentially record-setting temperatures, averaging nearly 20 degrees above normal, have accelerated the bloom watch.