Daylight Saving Time Begins in 2024: What You Need to Know
It’s that time of year again – daylight saving time has begun and is now underway in 2024. On Sunday, March 10th at 2 a.m. local time, millions of clocks across America sprang forward, giving us more daylight in the evening. While some people appreciate the longer evenings, others argue that daylight saving time disrupts sleep and schedules. However, despite public opinion, the tradition continues.
Daylight saving time always occurs on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. This year, daylight saving time will end only a few days after Halloween, which means we’ll get to “fall back” and enjoy an extra hour of sleep.
So, when does daylight saving time end in 2024? It will come to a close on Sunday, November 3rd at 2 a.m. local time. This is the moment when most Americans will adjust their clocks once again.
But what exactly is daylight saving time? It is the period between March and November when we adjust our clocks by one hour. In March, we lose an hour to gain more daylight in the summer evenings. Then, in November, we “fall back” to add more daylight in the mornings. This change is based on the spring equinox, which falls on March 19th, 2024. As the Northern Hemisphere moves into spring, the Southern Hemisphere experiences fall.
It’s important to note that the correct term is daylight “saving” time, not “savings” time. However, the incorrect term is commonly used in Australia, Canada, and the United States.
There has been a push in recent years to eliminate the practice of changing clocks. In 2022, the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act was introduced to Congress, aiming to end the biannual time change and make daylight saving time permanent. Although the act passed unanimously in the Senate, it did not receive approval from the U.S. House of Representatives, and President Joe Biden did not sign it into law. Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio are now using the start of daylight saving time in 2024 to remind the country of the act and urge Congress to take action.
“It’s time for Congress to act, and I’m proud to be leading the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act with Senator Rubio to get this done,” stated Scott.
It’s worth noting that not every state observes daylight saving time. Currently, Hawaii, Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation), American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not participate in daylight saving time.
As we adjust to the time change, various deals on food, coffee, and other items are available to help us cope with the lost hour. So, while daylight saving time may have its critics, it seems that for now, it’s here to stay.
About the Author:
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY, covering a wide range of topics from local businesses and government in her hometown of Miami to tech and pop culture. You can follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz.