Winter Storm Stella’s effects on D.C.’s cherry blossoms

Take a breath of relief because Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms are going to be okay, despite the snow accumulation from this winter’s Storm Stella.

Mike Litterst, chief of communications for the National Park Service (NPS), told FOX 5 that the blossoms are “still hanging in there” despite showing some browning and a bit of damage.

“Overall, so far, we're very pleased that they've come through relatively unscathed,” said LItterst.

There are a total of 3,800 cherry blossom trees surrounding the Tidal Basin, and there’s not much the NPS can do to save them once cold temperatures occur and snow piles up on the branches. Despite this, fingers are still crossed.

WUSA9 reported that the snow may cause the city’s cherry blossoms to not hit peak bloom for the first time in nearly a century. The peak bloom was scheduled between March 19 and March 22.

Litterst told WUSA9 that if the temperature decreases to below 24 degrees Fahrenheit, there could be as much as 90 percent loss of the blossoms.

This Wednesday, a day after Storm Stella, the Cherry Blossom Festival is still scheduled to begin, from March 15 through April 2.

• Will DC's cherry blossoms survive the snow? [FOX5]

• Cherry Blossom Festival begins day after snow storm [WUSA9]