It may not feel like the end of winter is near, but, rest assured readers, spring is just around the corner.
In March, millions of Americans will turn their clocks forward, marking the start of daylight saving time in 2025. The controversial practice of “springing forward” and “falling back” has been observed in most states for decades.
Under the current daylight saving period, most Americans will lose an hour of sleep on the second Sunday of March and gain an hour on the first Sunday of November.
Here’s what to know about the annual practice and why we observe it.
In March, millions of Americans will turn their clocks forward, marking the start of daylight saving time in 2025.
When does daylight saving time start in 2025?
Daylight saving time starts at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9.
In the spring, participating states turn clocks forward one hour on the second Sunday of March, causing us to spring forward and lose an hour of sleep.
When does daylight saving time end in 2025?
Clocks “fall back” on Sunday, Nov. 2. Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday of November each year.
Is it daylight saving time now?
No, daylight saving time ended on Nov. 3, 2024, and will not start again until March. When daylight saving time ends, clocks are set back one hour to standard time.
Why do we lose an hour in March?
We spring forward, losing an hour, in March to add more hours of daylight in summer evenings.
Which states don’t have daylight saving time?
Hawaii and parts of Arizona do not participate in daylight saving time. The Navajo Nation ‒ which spans across Arizona, Utah and New Mexico ‒ does observe the time change, making it the lone participant in Arizona.
The territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands do not observe daylight saving time.
What’s the point of daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time was introduced in the United States in 1918 with the Standard Time Act, which was meant to lower fuel costs during the First World War. The law also established a standard time and allowed the federal government to create five time zones.
The government stopped observing daylight saving time after World War I ended but reimplemented it during World War II. Congress decided to make daylight saving time permanent for two years from 1973 to 1975, extending the hours of daily sunlight year-round to conserve energy during the oil embargo crisis. However, the law was repealed in 1974 for being unpopular and ineffective.
In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, standardizing the length of daylight saving time. The dates we use to observe daylight saving time today ‒ starting on the second Sunday of March and ending on the first Sunday of November – were established in 2005 when Congress amended the Act.
According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.
Is it daylight savings time or daylight saving time?
While it’s common to hear “daylight savings” with an “s,” the correct term is “daylight saving time,” since the practice saves daylight.
Is daylight saving time ending permanently?
Not yet. According to The Arizona Republic, there have been discussions about abolishing the semiannual time changes, and President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk and others support it. But any permanent change would require congressional approval.
While several states have passed bills to establish year-round daylight saving time, any changes require federal action. Until the Uniform Time Act is repealed or a new federal bill is passed, the time changes will still occur in 2025.
Is California considering getting rid of daylight savings time?
No state can adopt permanent daylight saving time unless the U.S. Congress passes a law to authorize it first, USA Today reports.
In 2018, voters approved Proposition 7, allowing the state legislature to pass legislation establishing permanent daylight savings time in California. Since then, several legislators have offered bills to accomplish this goal, but the legislation has died in committee or been pulled from consideration.
Related: What would daylight saving time ending mean for California? See the time changes
What other states are considering getting rid of daylight savings time?
Ohio is one of at least 30 states considering legislation related to daylight saving time as of 2024. Here are the other states considering getting rid of daylight saving time.
Contributing: Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: When does 2025 daylight saving time start in California?