Signs of spring

Spring starts March 20, but the region has been experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures well ahead of schedule. So warm that the National Park Service changed dates for its forecast of Washington’s Tidal Basin cherry blossom bloom.

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March 19, 2012

Christine Walker, 20, a Northwestern University journalism student, sits among the cherry trees on the Capitol grounds.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

Blooms complement the American flag on Plyers Mill Road in Kensington Although the official first day of spring is March 20, the weather of late has already been very springlike.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

Spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20, but many flowers weren’t waiting as temperatures have often been above normal, making for early blooms.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

The American Daffodil Society is holding its national convention in Baltimore next month. But the flowers aren’t waiting to bloom.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

A robin is on the hunt for worms in a garden in Wheaton. The bird passes blooming flowers that peaked early this year in the warm weather.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

Elif Esiyok of Bethesda takes photos near Ohio Drive SW. Shutterbugs are getting an early shot at the cherry blossoms.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

The sun rises on the eve of the official first day of spring near Middleburg, Va.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

On the day before the official start of spring, flowering trees line the main road passing through the campus of the Foxcroft School, a boarding and day school for girls in Middleburg, Va.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

A bee makes its way around cherry blossoms on the day before the official start of spring on the campus of the Foxcroft School, a boarding and day school for girls in Middleburg, Va.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

This goose was napping in the warm springlike weather in Kensington.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

March 18, 2012

A child walks past tulips in bloom on the Mall near the Washington Monument.

Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

March 19, 2012

Daffodils bloom as horses graze in the morning before the official first day of spring in Middleburg, Va.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

John and Katherine Richardson enjoy a walk with their new baby, <sup>2 1</sup>
<span>/</span>
<sub>2</sub>-week-old Kylan, and their dog Bella on Evans Drive in Wheaton Many trees bloomed early and are already shedding their blooms before the official start of spring.

March 19, 2012

John and Katherine Richardson enjoy a walk with their new baby, ^{2 1} / ₂-week-old Kylan, and their dog Bella on Evans Drive in Wheaton Many trees bloomed early and are already shedding their blooms before the official start of spring.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

Margaret Huddy creates a cherry blossom scene as she is surrounded by blooming trees near Ohio Drive SW in Washington. Tuesday signals the first day of spring. The National Cherry Blossom Festival also begins Tuesday March 20 and runs through April 27.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

Taking a break from an engagement photo shoot, Deirdre Dorval, left, embraces Matt Wells, both of the District, as they wait for their photographer to return while surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms near the Tidal Basin.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

March 15, 2012

Dan Ward paints the interior of row boats that will soon be rented at Fletcher's Boat House in Washington.

Gary Cameron / Reuters

March 15, 2012

A bicyclist rides on the C&O Canal near Fletcher's Boathouse in Washington. Extremely warm spring weather, with temperatures reaching 82 degrees, has arrived in the nation's capital.

Gary Cameron / Reuters

March 15, 2012

Patrick Lee, 22, of Arlington stacks kayaks on the dock at Jack's Boathouse under the Key Bridge in Georgetown. Despite record high temperatures, the boat rental facility is not yet open. The boathouse will open in mid-April, offering rentals of kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards for use on the Potomac River.

Matt McClain / for The Washington Post

March 15, 2012

Alice and Bob Jones of Fairfax Station enjoy a warm afternoon under the shade of a tulip magnolia tree at the National Arboretum.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

March 14, 2012

With the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the background, Lisa Oliver performs liturgical dance steps at Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County as a friend takes photos for a portfolio. The late winter weather felt more like early summer, with highs near 80 degrees in the D.C. area.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

March 13, 2012

Tulips bloom during springlike weather in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 13, 2012

A man runs past blooming daffodils along Rock Creek Park in Washington.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 13, 2012

Warm temperatures brought out buds on trees along George Street in downtown Fredericksburg.

Reza A. Marvashti / AP

March 12, 2012

Flowers on a magnolia tree are in bloom during early springlike weather at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 12, 2012

Glorie Dowell, 16, of Fort Meade, left, and Jackie Stradinger, 16, of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., take advantage of early springlike weather outside the U.S. Capitol.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 12, 2012

Charlie Powers, left, and his wife, Anastasia Robinson, along with their dog Maizey, a yellow lab, go for an afternoon run on the Mall near the Washington Monument.

Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP

March 13, 2012

Magnolia blossoms pop in Lafayette Park on a warm sunny day in Washington.

Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images

March 13, 2012

Zosia Sztykowski relaxes in Lafayette Park on a warm sunny springlike day in Washington. Temperatures reached the upper 70s and are expected to hold through the week.

Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images

March 12, 2012

Michelle Fisher runs with her dog Olivia, a boxer mix, past a house painted to look like a slice of watermelon, during early springlike weather in Washington.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 13, 2012

Victoria Sanders texts her family about the wonderful weather from a picnic table at Belle Haven Park on the Potomac River south of Old Town Alexandria, while her daughter, Virginia, 8 months old, takes a nap in her stroller.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

March 12, 2012

Ducks sit under a budding cherry tree along the Tidal Basin in Washington looking toward the Jefferson Memorial. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the gift of the trees from Japan, with peak bloom expected between March 24 and March 31, according to the National Park Service.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 13, 2012

President Obama, center, makes remarks about a trade case against China with Commerce Secretary John Bryson, left, and Trade Representative Ron Kirk in the Rose Garden at the White House.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

March 12, 2012

The Stidman family, Fil, front left, Anna, right, and their daughters Laura, back left, and Sarah, of Raleigh, N.C., enjoy the warm Washington weather underneath a blooming magnolia tree on the Capitol grounds.

Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

March 12, 2012

A bird peers out from a hole in a budding cherry tree along the tidal basin in Washington. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the gift of the trees from Japan.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 13, 2012

The Marine One helicopter carrying President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron flies past the Washington Monument.

Joshua Roberts / Reuters

March 13, 2012

Passing blooming flowers, a packed open top tourist bus drives through Washington’s Georgetown neighborhood.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

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