The Cherry Blossom Forecast

Every spring, people in Japan watch the news for one special forecast. It is not about rain or snow, but about cherry blossoms. Today, private weather companies predict when the sakura will open in each area. The blossoms do not last long, so the forecast helps people plan hanami, or flower viewing.

The forecasts usually follow one kind of cherry tree, the Somei Yoshino. This kind is planted in many parts of Japan. These trees are clones, which means they are all copies of one tree. So trees in the same area usually bloom at about the same time.

Japan is long from south to north, so spring does not arrive everywhere at once. Usually, the blossoms open in the south first, and the blooming moves slowly north. In Tokyo, they usually open in late March or early April. In Hokkaido, people often have to wait until about May. This moving line on the map is called the sakura zensen, or cherry blossom front.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also watches special sample trees in many cities. When a sample tree has five or six open flowers, the blossoms are officially open. Then friends, families and coworkers go out to enjoy hanami under the pink trees.