Cherry blossoms in Japan have bloomed in October, some six months earlier than usual.

Why?

Two powerful typhoons pummelled the country in September, one of which, Typhoon Jebi, was the most powerful storm to hit Japan in 25 years.

The two typhoons stripped the trees of leaves or covered them in salt water, which weakened chemicals that suppress the pink and white blooms.

Air sucked up by the storms from the tropics then brought warm weather.

The warm snap was followed by colder temperatures that mimicked the spring weather, which signalled the right time to bloom, turning the trees unseasonably pink.

In other words, the typhoons may have confused the trees.

Traditional blooming period not affected

Even though the trees have grown confused, sprouting flowers off-schedule, the traditional blooming period from February to April, when cherry blossoms normally bloom, will not be affected.

There have been conflicting reports in the press about the extent of this unusual phenomenon.

Some reports have indicated that the early blooming has occurred across Japan, while other reports said the fresh flowers were blooming but are concentrated mainly in Tokyo.

The extent of it appears to be novel enough though.

Hiroyuki Wada of the Flower Association of Japan told broadcaster NHK: “This has happened in the past, but I don’t remember seeing something of this scale.”

It is well-known that the trees only bloom once a year, so an autumnal display bars the traditional spring blossoms from appearing on the same tree.

But Wada also said the traditional viewing season should not be seriously impacted by the unusual display of blossoms.

The cherry blossom forecast, published annually by the Japan Meteorological Corporation, has not yet been released for 2019.

Cherry blossoms still blooming next spring

Another article reported that a senior official with the Flower Association of Japan said there have been reports every year of cherry blossom blooming early, but are confined to specific areas.

"This time we are hearing about it from all over the country," he said.

But the number of flowers blooming early is still small, so people who go to view the cherry blossoms in spring are unlikely to notice much difference.

Visitors from around the world will go to Japan to enjoy hanami, or flower viewing.

The unexpected bloom comes amid growing concern around the world about global warming and summer heat waves.

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