Photo by Brett Bowers

Below-freezing temperatures over the next couple days could damage 90 percent of D.C.’s budding cherry blossoms.

“Since the blossoms are so close to peak bloom and are exposed from the protection of the buds, they are particularly vulnerable right now,” National Park Service spokesperson Mike Litterst told DCist.

At 27 degrees, we can start to see damage to the blossoms, “but perhaps only 10 percent of them,” Litterst says. However, if temperatures drop to 24 degrees, there’s a potential for “as much as 90 percent damage.”

The National Weather Service predicts a low today of 21 degrees and a low around 22 degrees on Thursday.

Litterst said D.C. is “still on track for peak bloom” between March 19-22, but NPS will have a better idea in the next couple days. Whatever the fate of the flower, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is still happening, starting today.

NPS has also told people to let the ice-coated blossoms melt naturally because shaking can cause damage and breakage to trees.