The arrival of spring on the University of Washington campus can be marked by the annual celebration of cherry blossoms, bringing visitors and locals alike to admire the display of color on the Quad. Since 2018, SEFS Ph.D. student Autumn Maust has led a team monitoring this seasonal event, using weather data to create a model to predict peak cherry blossom bloom. This year, colder-than-usual spring temperatures have led to a slight delay in the timing of peak bloom, now expected in early April.

Maust was featured in a recent UW news article about the upcoming peak bloom event, sharing her tips for enjoying the celebration.