Daylight Saving Time 2026 Begins This Weekend: Clocks Spring Forward

Daylight Saving Time 2026 Begins This Weekend: Clocks Spring Forward Sunday

Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins this weekend across most of the United States and Canada, bringing longer evenings but one less hour of sleep. The annual clock change takes place early Sunday morning, March 8, 2026, when clocks move forward by one hour. 

Here are the most important details about the time change and what it means

Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 8, 2026. At that moment, clocks move forward to 3:00 a.m., effectively skipping one hour. 

• Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026

• Time: 2:00 a.m. local time

• Change: Clocks move forward 1 hour

• Nickname: “Spring forward”

Because of the change, people lose one hour of sleep that night, but evenings will have more daylight. 

DST will remain in effect for nearly eight months and will end on November 1, 2026, when clocks move back one hour. 

Daylight Saving Time was introduced during World War I to conserve fuel and energy by extending daylight hours in the evening. 

Today, the system is governed by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which standardized when states change their clocks. 

Supporters say DST:

• Encourages outdoor activities

• Helps businesses like retail and tourism

• May reduce evening crime

Critics argue it disrupts sleep patterns and provides little modern energy savings.

Not every region follows Daylight Saving Time. Some locations stay on standard time all year.

In the United States, DST is not observed in:

• Hawaii

• Most of Arizona (except the Navajo Nation)

• U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Health and Safety Concerns

Experts say the sudden loss of sleep can temporarily affect health and safety.

Research shows the time change may lead to:

• Increased heart attack risk in the days after the shift

• Higher rates of strokes and traffic accidents

• Sleep disruption due to circadian rhythm changes. 

Doctors recommend easing the transition by going to bed earlier, getting morning sunlight, and maintaining regular sleep habits. 

Tips to Prepare for the Time Change

To adjust more smoothly:

• Set clocks ahead before going to bed Saturday night

• Go to sleep 15–20 minutes earlier a few days before the change

• Get exposure to morning sunlight to reset your body clock

• Double-check manual clocks like ovens, wall clocks, and car dashboards