Just when you already were thinking the sun has already begun setting far too early, brace yourselves, because as of next week, we’re in for darkness starting at 5 p.m.
With Daylight Saving Time (DST) coming to an end this weekend, millions of people across Canada at the United States will be affected; here’s what to know.
When Does Daylight Saving Time End?
This year 2024, DST will end on Sunday, November 3, at 2:00 a.m. local time. Clocks will “fall back” by one hour, returning to Standard Time, which means an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning.
While getting one extra hour of sleep is easier to digest for most than losing one in the spring, this also means earlier sunsets and therefore, shorter winter days.
Within Canada, these six time zones are impacted by DST: Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern and Atlantic. For Newfoundland, DST is 30 minutes behind Atlantic time.
Why Was Daylight Saving Time Created?
Originally introduced by New Zealand entomologist George Hudson in 1895, DST was intended to maximize daylight during warmer months, giving people more evening light in the spring and summer months.
Germany was the first country to officially try it decades later in 1916, in attempts to combat the energy crisis. While most areas in Canada and the U.S. observe this change, certain provinces, states, and territories do not participate.
Which Regions Do Not Observe DST?
Within Canada, most of Saskatchewan, parts of Quebec and British Columbia, all of Yukon, and Nunavut’s Southampton Island do not observe the practice. In the United States, Hawaii and most of Arizona does not either.
Will DST Be Abolished?
Petitions to abolish DST completely have circulated for years now, and the debate continues on. Within Canada alone, over 75,000 Canadians signed a petition on Change.org calling on federal government to end DST last year, due to concerns over its negative affect on our circadian rhythms and worsening of certain illnesses, such as depression and seasonal affective disorder.
When Does DST Return in 2025?
Daylight Saving Time will return this spring, occurring on Sunday, March 9 2025.
For now, get ready to transition back to Standard Time this weekend. While most smart devices will adjust automatically, certain analog clocks might need to be manually reset.