Time Change 2024: When Daylight Saving Ends and What to Expect
This weekend marks the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) for Toronto and the rest of Ontario, bringing brighter mornings and darker evenings. As the clocks “fall back,” here’s what you need to know about the upcoming change and what it means for your day-to-day schedule.
When Does Daylight Saving Time End?
In 2024, DST ends on Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m. Clocks will turn back by one hour to 1 a.m., marking the return to standard time. This change provides an extra hour of morning daylight but earlier sunsets in the evening. For those in Ontario, this time adjustment will continue until DST resumes in March 2025.
Daylight Saving vs. Daylight Savings: What’s the Correct Term?
While some say “Daylight Savings Time,” the correct term is actually Daylight Saving Time, without the “s.” It reflects the idea of “saving” daylight for evening hours.
How to Prepare for the Time Change
Most digital devices—smartphones, computers, and smartwatches—will adjust automatically. However, you’ll need to manually reset appliance clocks and analog watches to match the new time.
Why Do We Have DST?
Daylight Saving Time was established to extend evening daylight hours, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Originally, the goal was to save energy by aligning daylight with active hours. However, this practice remains a topic of debate, as recent studies question whether DST still achieves energy savings. Supporters argue that it provides more daylight for evening activities, while critics claim it disrupts sleep patterns and health.
What to Expect on November 3
The sunrise on Sunday, November 3, will occur at around 7:13 a.m., while the sunset will be at approximately 5:27 p.m. The shorter days will continue through December, peaking on the winter solstice, December 21, the year’s shortest day.
When Will Daylight Saving Time Start Again?
Daylight Saving Time will begin again on March 9, 2025. Until then, we remain on standard time, enjoying longer morning light. This biannual shift follows the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which established the standardized DST schedule in the U.S. and Canada. Ontario is among many regions that observe this time change, though some provinces and U.S. states have opted out.
The Push for Permanent Daylight Saving Time
The idea of making DST permanent has gained traction in recent years. Many people find adjusting to biannual time changes challenging, especially the “spring forward” in March, which shortens sleep.
In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill aimed at making DST permanent, though it has not yet become law. If passed, this legislation could impact Ontario, potentially making daylight saving a year-round practice in North America.
How to Adjust to the Time Change
For some, the “fall back” time change offers the welcome gift of an extra hour of sleep. To ease the adjustment, try going to bed earlier in the days leading up to the change. Maintaining a consistent sleep routine year-round can also help, ensuring that these clock changes don’t interfere with rest.
In Toronto and across Ontario, standard time will remain until March 9, 2025. Until then, we can look forward to lighter mornings and earlier evenings, marking the seasonal shift toward winter.
Stay tuned for updates on potential changes to daylight saving policies. For now, prepare to turn your clocks back this Sunday and enjoy the extra morning light.
References:
- https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/11/02/when-does-time-change-november-2024/75984917007
- https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2024/11/01/when-daylight-savings-2024-time-change-fall-back-hour-nov-3-when-dst-end-day-light-saving/75972055007
- https://www.cnet.com/science/daylight-saving-time-2024-ends-tomorrow-heres-when-the-clocks-turn-back
