When does daylight saving time end in the US? What to know

SEATTLE - For Seattleites, the end of daylight saving time (DST) means more morning light for commutes but an earlier dusk. It also means an extra hour of sleep to make the seasonal adjustment as the Pacific Northwest heads into winter.

So when exactly does daylight saving time end? Keep reading for everything to know about the time change.

What is daylight saving time?

Daylight saving time refers to the period between spring and fall when clocks are set one hour ahead of standard time to make better use of daylight. As mandated by federal law, it begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November, maximizing evening daylight during the warmer months.

The U.S. first adopted the practice of setting clocks back in 1918 during World War I to conserve fuel. Proponents believed shifting the clocks forward by an hour would save electricity by reducing household power use, allowing more coal-generated energy to be redirected to the war effort. The practice was briefly discontinued after the war but was reintroduced during World War II for the same energy-saving purposes.

When does daylight saving time end in Seattle in 2024?

On Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, at 2:00 a.m., daylight saving time (DST) will come to an end in Seattle. Residents will need to turn their clocks back one hour, marking the return to standard time.

This annual "fall back" provides an extra hour of sleep, but it also means that sunrise and sunset will occur about an hour earlier than the previous day, leading to darker evenings.

What happens when daylight saving time ends?

As clocks fall back, Seattle will experience brighter mornings and earlier nightfall. The shift helps adjust daylight hours to align with winter's shorter days, bringing more light to early risers.

On November 3, the sun will rise earlier in the morning and set sooner in the evening.

Why do we have daylight saving time?

Daylight saving time was first implemented in the U.S. in 1918 during World War I as a means to conserve fuel. The idea was to reduce the need for artificial lighting in the evening, saving energy. The practice was later revived during World War II and became standardized under the Uniform Time Act of 1966.

What is the ongoing debate about making daylight saving time end?

Daylight saving time has shown divisions over the years, stirring debate about whether it should become permanent or end once and for all.

In December 1973, a bill was signed into law to make daylight saving time permanent for two years. Called the Emergency Daylight Savings Time Energy Conservation Act, the law was intended to help the U.S. save energy during the oil crisis.

After a few months, however, the once-supportive public soured on the permanent time change. The law was amended on October 1974, making daylight saving time last a few months a year once again.

Will daylight saving time become permanent?

In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which proposed year-round daylight saving time. However, the bill has yet to be approved by the House of Representatives, leaving the future of DST uncertain.

Which states in the U.S. observe daylight saving time?

Everywhere in the U.S., except Hawaii and most of Arizona, observes the time change. To make matters more confusing, Navajo Nation in Arizona does observe DST. Some U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, also do not change their clocks twice a year, FOX Weather noted.