Average date on which cherry trees begin to bloom has advanced 1.2 days per decade since 1953. Last year was one of the earliest flowering years on record, with March 14.
Heat waves put the opening of the blossoms at risk. Cherry blossoms are usually celebrated in Japan with hanami (picnic) with friends, family or co-workers, designed to enjoy the ephemeral beauty of the falling petals and which more and more foreigners join when they visit the Asian country.