Forecasters say cherry blossoms are expected to bloom earlier than usual in many parts of Japan because of warm weather projected for March.

Temperatures rose to unprecedented levels on Tuesday in the Kanto region. Takasaki and Isesaki cities in Gunma Prefecture had temperatures exceeding 25 degrees Celsius for the first time ever recorded in February. This marked a 10-degree increase from the previous day's highs.

Some other areas also experienced temperatures as warm as late April to mid-June, including central Tokyo, which reached 23.7 degrees.

The Meteorological Agency says the mercury rose because warm air from the south flowed into a front extending near Kanto. But weather officials expect the winter cold to return on Wednesday.

Temperatures are forecast to rise again in March to usual levels or higher, likely accelerating the arrival of the cherry blossom season across the Kanto region.

Private weather company Weather Map announced on Thursday that cherry blossoms will likely bloom on March 17 in central Tokyo, March 22 in Saitama Prefecture's Kumagaya City and March 23 in Yokohama and Mito cities.

The company says cold weather is likely to return in the coming days, but that temperatures are generally expected to be higher than usual in March. It says cherry blossoms in the Kanto region this year are likely to bloom about a week earlier than usual.

The Japan Weather Association announced its forecast on January 31. It said it expects cherry blossoms to bloom on March 20 in central Tokyo, March 21 in Yokohama and Kumagaya cities and March 23 in Gunma Prefecture's Maebashi City.

The forecasts are subject to updates based on the latest data.