It's the most wonderful time of the year in our nation's capital: cherry blossom season. 

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The white and pink flowers totally take over the National Mall this time of year, usually reaching their most colorful array in late March or early April. This year, however, flower-peepers will get quite the treat. The trees are blossoming in full earlier than usual, and you can thank warmer than average temperatures for that. In fact, this past winter was the warmest on record in the contiguous United States. 

(MORE: Lower 48 States Just Experienced the Warmest Winter on Record)

The National Park Service (NPS) posted on its Facebook page that the best time to see the trees in bloom will be March 18-23 – that's two weeks earlier than predicted.

"Although the Park Service factored above average March temperatures into the original prediction date, potentially record-setting temperatures, averaging nearly 20 degrees above normal for the next week, heave greatly accelerated the bloom watch," NPS said in a press release.

According to the NPS Bloom Watch site, peak bloom has been in early April for the past several years. Provided their prediction for this year is correct, it will be the earliest peak bloom in at least 10 years. The earliest the cherry blossoms have peaked was in 1990, when the flowers made their impressive debut on March 15.  

Peak bloom occurs when 70 percent of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are fully open. Cooler weather means a longer bloom while storms can get rid of the blossoms more quickly, the NPS notes. 

"Thursday will mark the third consecutive day with high temperatures in the upper 70s in Washington, D.C., which is well above the average high in the middle 50s this time of year," weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce said. "The current forecast shows that highs may remain 10 or more degrees above average each day well into next week leading up to the current projected peak bloom."

The warmth has already broken record highs in the East. While it's not officially spring yet, meteorological spring is in full swing in many areas, with no sign of a return from winter. So kick back, soak up the sun and enjoy these breathtaking views.

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