WEEKLY KAGOSHIMA on the Web

Sakura season officially declared
　The Japan Weather Association’s Kyushu branch office and Kagoshima Local Meterological Observatory announced on March 26 that the cherry blossoms—Someiyoshino--at the observatory had bloomed. It was around the same time as previous years, but three days later than last year. The cherry trees are expected to be in full bloom on April 5, which is a day later than usual.
　According to the branch office, due to severe cold in February, the faint pink flowers are expected to open and peak at around the same time or a little later nationwide compared to previous years.
　The authorities declare the opening of sakura when more than five or six flowers blossom on selected benchmark trees. In other prefectural capitals in the Kyushu area, Miyazaki City saw the earliest blooming on the 24th while Kumamoto and Nagasaki cities declared the opening by the 26th.
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＜タイトル＞
サクラの時期が公式に宣言される
＜第１パラグラフ＞
The ~ office：日本気象協会九州支社　　　Kagoshima ~ Observatory：鹿児島地方気象台　　　announced：発表した　　　the ~ blossoms：桜の花　　　had bloomed：花が咲いた（had blosommed）　　　previous years：これまでの年　　　are expected to...：・・・することが予想されている　　　be ~ bloom：満開である
＜第２パラグラフ＞
According to...：・・・によると　　due to...：・・・が原因で　　　the ~ flowers：うす桃色の花（ソメイヨシノのこと）　　　　peak：ピークを迎える　　　nationwide：全国で（across the country）　　　compared to...：・・・と比較して
＜第３パラグラフ＞
The authorities：当局（気象協会、気象台のこと）　　　declare：・・・を宣言する　　　selected ~ trees：選ばれた標準木　　　prefectural capitals：県庁所在地　　　Miyazaki ~ blooming：宮崎が最も早い開花を迎えた　　　while：一方で