The private weather forecasting company K-Weather on Feb. 25 said cherry blossoms are expected to bloom three to six days earlier this year than in previous years (1991-2020). Shown are cherry blossoms at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul. (Korea.net DB)

By Xu Aiying

Cherry blossoms are anticipated to bloom earlier this year than in previous years.

The private weather forecasting company K-Weather on Feb. 25 said their blooming is expected three to six days earlier than the average date seen from 1991 to 2020.

Blooming is expected to start in Jeju Island from March 21, in the south from March 25-29 and in the central area from March 30 to April 5.

Cherry blossoms in Seoul are expected to blossom on April 2, six days faster than in previous years.

Their peak season is about a week from blooming to full blossoming. Cherry blossoms in Jeju are expected to peak on March 28, those in the southern region April 1-5 and those in the central section April 6-12.

Cherry blossom festivals will also be moved up given the earlier-than-usual blooming.

The Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, the nation's largest for cherry blossoms in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, will begin at the earliest date in its history on March 22. The Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival in Seoul is also scheduled from March 27-31, earlier than last year.

xuaiy@korea.kr