Daylight Saving Time: Do you remember those long summer days when the sun stayed up past 8:30 p.m.? Those warm, bright evenings are now just a memory as we head toward winter. The days are getting shorter, and soon, we will “fall back” to standard time.
When Do the Days Start Getting Shorter?
The days started getting shorter right after the summer solstice, which occurred on June 21st. On June 20th, the day lasted 14 hours, 59 minutes, and 16 seconds, making it the longest day of the year. The very next day, June 21st, we lost one second of daylight, marking the beginning of our journey toward the shortest day of the year.
When Is the Shortest Day of the Year?
The shortest day of the year is also known as the winter solstice. This year, it will fall on December 21st. In Delaware, for example, there will be only 9 hours, 21 minutes, and 15 seconds of daylight on this day. It’s the official start of winter, and from here, the days will slowly start to get longer again.
Interestingly, the day after the winter solstice, December 22nd, will be three seconds longer. It might not seem like much, but it’s the first step toward the return of longer days.
Why Do We Fall Back to Standard Time?
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November. This year, that date is November 3rd. On this day, we set our clocks back one hour, giving us an extra hour of sleep and bringing earlier sunrises and sunsets.
But why do we do this? The idea behind “falling back” is to make better use of daylight during the winter months. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, moving the clocks back an hour means we will have more daylight in the mornings. Without this time change, the sun wouldn’t rise until after 8 a.m. in December. This would make waking up early even harder, as many people would have to start their day in complete darkness.
What Should You Do Before Falling Back on November 3rd?
Before you go to bed on Saturday, November 2nd, remember to set your clocks back by one hour. This simple task will ensure you’re in sync with the rest of the world when you wake up on Sunday morning.
This is also a great time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors. Changing them when you change your clocks is an easy way to remember this important safety task.
States That Never Spring Forward or Fall Back
While most of the United States follows Daylight Saving Time, there are a few exceptions. Arizona and Hawaii do not observe Daylight Saving Time. These states stay on standard time year-round. The main reason for this is that these states already get plenty of daylight throughout the year, so the impact of shifting the clocks is minimal.
The History Behind Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time was first introduced as a way to make better use of daylight during the longer days of summer. The idea was that by moving the clocks forward in the spring, people could enjoy more daylight in the evening, which was especially useful before the invention of electric lights.
However, as the days get shorter in the fall, the benefits of Daylight Saving Time decrease. That’s why we “fall back” to standard time in November, allowing for more daylight in the morning hours during the winter.
What’s Next?
After we fall back to standard time on November 3rd, the days will continue to get shorter until the winter solstice on December 21st. From that point on, the days will slowly start getting longer again as we move toward spring.
But for now, get ready to enjoy the extra hour of sleep that comes with falling back. And as the days get shorter, take comfort in the fact that we’re one step closer to those long summer evenings returning next year.
