Daylight Saving Time Begins Tonight: What To Know

Daylight Saving Time Begins Tonight: What To Know...

Millions of Americans will lose an hour of sleep tonight as daylight saving time officially begins at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 9. The annual time change, which affects most of the U.S. except Arizona and Hawaii, is trending as people prepare to adjust their clocks and routines.

The shift means later sunsets but darker mornings for the next eight months. Public health experts warn the disruption can temporarily impact sleep patterns, productivity, and even heart health. A 2020 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found fatal car accidents increase by 6% in the week following the time change.

Many states have considered ending the practice in recent years. Federal law still requires congressional approval for permanent daylight saving time, though the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023 remains stalled in the House.

Fire departments traditionally use the time change as a reminder to check smoke detector batteries. The National Fire Protection Association reports working smoke alarms cut fire death risks by 55%.

For those struggling with the adjustment, sleep specialists recommend gradually shifting bedtime earlier in the days leading up to the change. Exposure to morning sunlight can also help reset circadian rhythms faster.

Daylight saving time will end on November 1, 2026, when clocks "fall back" to standard time. Until then, Americans can expect sunset times to gradually lengthen, peaking around the summer solstice in June.