Spring Forward this Morning! What You Need to Know About Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time commences at 2 a.m. on March 10, 2024, which falls on the second Sunday of March. The morning will remain dim for a slightly longer period, but this also means that daylight will extend an additional hour into the afternoon and evening.

Thanks to advanced technology, your smartphones and watches will automatically adjust to the time change. However, if you possess analog watches, time-telling appliances, or traditional clocks in your home, you will need to manually adjust them.

Below, you will find all pertinent information about the time change, along with an explanation as to why it is referred to as “Daylight Saving Time” and not “Daylight Savings Time” as is commonly mispronounced.

What is Daylight Saving Time?

Daylight Saving Time is the period between March and November when the majority of Americans adjust their clocks by one hour.

In March, we lose an hour by “springing forward,” resulting in additional daylight during the evenings. In November, we gain an hour by “falling back,” which provides more daylight in the mornings. The first day of spring is Tuesday, March 19, which is nine days after the time change.

Is the Time Change Ending in Michigan?

There has been a movement to abolish the practice of changing clocks, and in 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act. This legislation aimed to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. However, it did not receive approval from the U.S. House of Representatives and was not enacted into law by President Joe Biden. A revised version of the act in 2023 has also remained stagnant in Congress.

Does the Time Change Impact Health?

According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, Americans experience physical health issues due to the biannual time changes. These problems include strokes, heart attacks, accidents, and mood fluctuations.

Some scientists propose that the time change disrupts one’s biological clock. Additionally, other studies have connected the start of Daylight Saving Time with an uptick in car accidents.

Why is Daylight Saving Time Significant?

Daylight Saving Time is when the “daylight” commences an hour later in the morning and lasts an hour longer in the evening, as stated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

This ensures that the hour of daylight aligns with the time when most individuals are active outdoors. The intention behind Daylight Saving Time is to conserve energy since, during the warmer months, the majority of individuals are not at home and are instead outside, resulting in reduced energy consumption.

Which States Do Not Observe Daylight Saving Time?

Not all states adhere to Daylight Saving Time. Arizona and Hawaii are the only two states that have opted out. The U.S. territories that do not observe Daylight Saving Time include Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, as stated in an article by Knox News. The decision made by Hawaii to not adhere to the Uniform Time Act is due to its proximity to the equator, where daylight hours remain consistent throughout the year. Consequently, implementing daylight saving time in the state is considered unnecessary. In contrast, Arizona participated in daylight saving time in 1967, but it resulted in a substantial increase in energy consumption. While the rest of the country conserved fuel during this period, Arizona experienced a rise in energy usage to accommodate the additional hour of daylight, as confirmed by Arizona State University. However, it is worth noting that the Navajo Nation, located in the northeastern corner of the state, still observes daylight saving time. Starting in 2024, daylight saving time will end on Sunday, November 3rd, as it consistently falls on the first Sunday of November. In 2025, daylight saving time will commence on Sunday, March 9th. It is crucial to use the correct terminology, which is “daylight saving time,” not “daylight savings time.” Although the latter is commonly used in Australia, Canada, and the United States, it is important to adhere to the Associated Press stylebook, which specifies that the term should be written in lowercase, not uppercase.