The end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the first week of November marks the change from summer to winter in Texas and most of the United States. For this change, the clocks will be turned back for the second time this year.
The DST method is used to save energy and make better use of natural daylight. It is used almost everywhere in the U.S., except in four territories and the states of Arizona and Hawaii.
Winter time change
On November 3, at 2 a.m., the clocks will change to winter time. That’s when people in Texas will need to change their clocks back one hour, making it once again 1 a.m.
When it comes to electronics like smartphones, automatic watches, and smartwatches, the time zone setting is taken care of automatically. But both analogue and digital clocks will need to be changed by hand. Make sure to read the manuals that came with these items to make sure you adjust them properly.
- Smartphones: Automatic adjustment
- Smartwatches: Automatic adjustment
- Analog Clocks: Manual adjustment required
- Digital Clocks: Manual adjustment required
As November 3rd gets closer, don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour and enjoy the extra sleep. Making this small change will help you stick to your new routine and make the most of the winter daylight hours.
The DST was set up by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, and it is now an important part of how our society works. Time zones are managed by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), but the DOT does not have the power to change or remove them.
The Role of the DOT in Time Management
The U.S. Department of Transportation is responsible for monitoring these changes that states adhere to. These transitions occur twice a year: once at the start of summer and again at the beginning of winter. This practice is uniformly followed across the country, with a few exceptions:
- States that choose to opt-out of DST in its entirety.
The DOT clarified, “States may choose not to observe DST, but this exemption must apply to the entire part of the state that is located within a specific time zone.”
Understanding the Exemptions
While most of the U.S. follows these yearly time changes, some states and territories can choose not to engage in Daylight Saving Time. In this way, the system stays open while making sure that everyone in the country keeps the same time.
Hawaii chose to stop using DST in 1967. Since it is pretty close to the equator, the measure is no longer needed because the sun rises and sets at about the same time every day. In 1968, the same choice was made in most of Arizona. This is because Arizona has natural daylight all year.
Can Daylight Saving Time Be Eliminated?
The Council of State Governments, a nonpartisan and non-profit group, said that as of 2022, “19 states have approved or enacted legislation allowing the observation of DST year-round if Congress permits it and in some cases if other states in the region also make the change.” Among these states are:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Ohio
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
In California, on the other hand, people voted for a bill that would make DST permanent. The legislature has not yet done anything about this choice, though.