It's almost time to change the clocks -- but when, and where? Daylight Saving Time (DST), designed to make better use of evening daylight during the warmer months, begins in March across much of North America. However, whether you need to change your clocks depends on where you live.
If you do have to "spring forward," you'll lose an hour of sleep. Here's exactly when it happens -- and who's exempt.
When Do The Clocks Change In The U.S. And Canada?
Should you change your clocks on Saturday night or Sunday night? In 2026, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 8, across most of the U.S. and Canada. Clocks move forward one hour, and everyone will lose one hour's sleep. DST then runs until Sunday, November 1, 2026, when clocks "fall back" one hour at 2:00 a.m., gaining an hour's sleep for everyone.
However, there are exceptions. In the U.S., Daylight Saving Time does not apply to Hawaii or most of Arizona. The exception is the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona, which does observe DST. In Canada, most provinces and territories observe DST, though some areas in parts of British Columbia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan do not.
When Do The Clocks Change In The U.K. And Europe?
In 2026, Daylight Saving Time in the U.K. and across most of Europe begins on Sunday, March 29. Clocks go forward one hour at 01:00 UTC (02:00 CET). It ends on Sunday, October 25, when clocks go back one hour at 01:00 UTC (03:00 CEST).
The U.K. moves to British Summer Time (BST) in March and returns to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in October. Most European countries follow the same schedule, though some nations -- including Iceland, Belarus and Russia, according to Timeanddate -- do not observe DST.
Why We Have Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time is used in over 70 countries, according to timeanddate.com. It was introduced to make better use of evening daylight and reduce energy use, though modern research questions how much energy it actually saves. Supporters argue it provides longer summer evenings for business and recreation. Critics point to sleep disruption and potential health impacts tied to circadian rhythm changes.
In the U.S., there have been repeated efforts to make DST permanent. Twenty states have passed legislation or resolutions supporting year-round Daylight Saving Time, but any permanent change would require approval from Congress. For now, the twice-yearly clock change remains in place.
When Does Spring 2026 Start And End?
Meteorological spring begins on March 1 and ends on May 31, a system used by forecasters for seasonal consistency. Astronomical spring -- which is determined by Earth's orbit and axial tilt -- begins at the vernal equinox on March 20, 2026, and ends at the summer solstice on June 21, 2026.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.