As winter approaches, residents across the United States and Canada will set their clocks back by one hour on Sunday, November 2, marking the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST). The annual time adjustment, which began on March 9 this year, is designed to make better use of natural daylight during the colder months
At 2 am local time, clocks will officially move an hour backward — a change that signals shorter evenings and brighter mornings ahead. While most digital devices, such as smartphones and computers, will automatically update to the new time, wall clocks and manual timepieces will require a reset.
What is Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight Saving Time is a long-standing practice of advancing clocks by one hour during the warmer months — typically from March to November — to extend evening daylight. When autumn arrives, clocks are moved back by an hour to revert to standard time.
In the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, this transition occurs on the last Sunday of October, while in the US and Canada, it happens on the first Sunday of November. The change officially takes place at 2 am to minimise disruption to daily schedules.
Why the change matters
The concept behind Daylight Saving Time is to align waking hours more closely with daylight, allowing people to enjoy brighter mornings and make better use of natural light. This adjustment not only helps reduce electricity consumption but also supports productivity and road safety during morning commutes.
As clocks “fall back,” early risers will notice sunnier mornings, although evenings will darken sooner. Many workplaces and schools will benefit from improved visibility during early hours, especially as winter weather sets in.
States that do not observe DST
While most of the US follows this twice-yearly clock change, a few states and territories have opted out. Hawaii, most parts of Arizona, Puerto Rico, and Guam continue to observe standard time throughout the year.
These regions cite reasons such as consistent daylight patterns and energy efficiency that make the time change unnecessary. Their exemption has reignited discussions about whether DST should remain a nationwide practice.
Debate over scrapping the practice
The relevance of Daylight Saving Time has been a subject of debate for decades. Proponents argue that it helps save energy and encourages outdoor activity, while critics contend that it disrupts sleep schedules and has limited benefits in modern times.
In recent years, there have been legislative efforts to make DST permanent in the US. The Sunshine Protection Act, which aimed to end the biannual clock changes, was approved by the Senate in 2022 but did not secure final passage in the House of Representatives.
Global practices
Around 70 countries worldwide continue to observe Daylight Saving Time in some form, though the exact start and end dates vary. Many nations near the equator, where daylight hours remain relatively consistent throughout the year, have never adopted the practice.
In India, for example, clocks remain unchanged year-round due to its equatorial location and uniform sunrise-sunset timings across most of the country.
What to expect next
With clocks moving back an hour, people can look forward to an extra hour of sleep this weekend. However, experts recommend maintaining consistent sleep schedules to ease the transition. Morning light exposure can also help the body adjust to the new routine.
As winter sets in, the shift marks the beginning of shorter days and longer nights — a seasonal reminder of nature’s cycle and humanity’s ongoing attempt to adapt to it.