高知で桜開花　全国で最も早く

　高知地方気象台は２３日午後、高知市の高知城にある桜（ソメイヨシノ）の標本木が開花したと発表した。今春、全国で最も早い。暖冬で平年より早い開花が予想されたが、３月に入って低温の日が多く、平年より１日、昨年より６日遅い開花となった。
　高知が全国一番乗りとなったのは２０１８年以来、６年ぶり。２４～２５日は気温が上がり、東京・靖国神社などでも開花する可能性がある。（2024/03/23-17:42）

The Japan Meteorological Agency's Kochi local observatory announced Saturday that cherry blossoms have bloomed in the western prefecture of Kochi, marking the earliest bloom in Japan this spring.
   It is the first time in six years that Kochi has seen the earliest cherry blossom bloom in the country.
   As temperatures are expected to rise on Sunday and Monday, cherry blossoms may also begin to bloom in Tokyo.
   On Saturday, this season's first cherry blossoms were seen on a Somei-Yoshino cherry tree at the Kochi Castle that is regularly monitored by the agency.
   While cherry blossoms were expected to bloom earlier than usual this year after a warm winter, the first blossoms came one day later than the average year and six days later than last year, due to cooler temperatures in March.