Seattle cherry blossoms are nearing peak bloom 2024

It's March 2024. That means a few things for Western Washington — rain turns into sun, sun turns into hail, and hail turns into more rain, but not the same kind of rain as before. All of this adds up to the annual cherry blossom bloom around Seattle.

The main hotspot for cherry blossom action is the Quad at the University of Washington, where 29 large Yoshino cherry trees are located.

Peak bloom for 2024 at the UW Quad is expected March 20.

“Historically, peak bloom in the Quad typically begins during the third full week of March and goes into the fourth week of March. That seems to be what this year is going to look like,” UW arborist Sara Shores said in a statement. “Right now, I would guess that the last two weekends of March are ideal viewing conditions.”

RELATED: Seattle will save cherry blossom trees on Pike Street, but the old ones still have to go

Below is a live view of the UW Quad.

A good idea is to visit UW's website dedicated to these trees and their blooming. Peak bloom at UW generally translates to heavier traffic stretching through the University District and tight parking woes in the area. Plan accordingly.

Where else to see cherry blossoms in Seattle

There is a Japanese word for the activity of viewing cherry blossoms. "Hanami" technically means "flower viewing," but it's mostly used in reference to enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms. In Seattle, and the surrounding region, there are plenty of opportunities for hanami.

The city of Seattle has an online tree map that is very useful for finding cherry blossoms of various kinds — such as a stretch of 22nd Avenue between East John Street and East Republican Street, where there are plenty of Chinese double cherry, some Kwanzan flowering cherry, and Yoshino cherry blossoms, or Condon Way West, where there are lots of Kwanzan flowering cherry trees. Another good spot is the residential area around NE 55th Street and 12th Avenue NE.

It's worth noting that Seattle's tree map doesn't indicate how large or small the trees are. Also, cherry blossoms are often listed with plum blossoms on Seattle's map, which are just as pretty to look at and both trees are commonly mistaken for each other.

Seattle Center: There are plenty of cherry blossoms at the Seattle Center. In fact, 11 new trees were planted in February. The city's annual Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival is celebrated here (April 12-14, 2024). The festival goes back to 1976, when it was originally held at Seward Park (where there are more cherry blossoms).

Seattle parks: There are cherry blossom trees at many Seattle parks, such as the Arboretum, Green Lake, Jefferson Park, and Seward Park.

Lake Washington Boulevard: Lake Washington Boulevard north of Seattle's Seward Park is known for its stretch of cherry blossom trees.

Downtown Bellevue Park: A few large cherry blossom trees are in the park in Downtown Bellevue.

Point Defiance Park: The Japanese Garden at Tacoma's Point Defiance Park is home to several cherry blossom trees.

State Capitol in Olympia: Walk across the state Capitol campus and see a variety of cherry blossom trees.