Japan’s cherry trees will blossom about 10 days early this year, part of a greater trend over the last few years caused by global warming, disappointing tourists who planned trips to catch a glimpse of the fleeting blooms.
Known as the Sakura season, the blossoming of the nation’s collection of cherry trees takes place around the end of March to the beginning of April each year and lasts only around 10 days. This year, scientists have said that the season will likely be over before it was due to begin, starting 10 days earlier.
“Yoshino cherries are now flowering about two weeks earlier than they did 50 to 60 years ago, and this is due to the warmer weather associated with climate change,” said Richard B. Primack, a researcher and Professor of Biology at Boston University.
The possibility of a February flowering season is becoming more real. Primack said the blossoming of the cherry trees had been well recorded in Japan for hundreds of years, making it one of the best indicators of climate change.
Japan has a cherry blossom forecast and navigator that maps the bloom of the trees throughout the season. This tool, available online and in various apps, provides real-time updates on the cherry blossom season, helping tourists plan their trips and ensuring they don’t miss the beautiful blooms.
