Daylight Saving Time Begins Soon, Bringing Earlier Sunsets and Sunrises

The time change will occur at 2 a.m. CT on Sunday, March 8 as clocks "spring forward" an hour.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Daylight saving time is set to begin on Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m. CT, marking the earliest possible date the time change could occur this year. While we'll lose an hour of sleep, both sunrise and sunset will be about an hour later, resulting in more light in the evenings. Daylight saving time lasts for 34 weeks in the U.S., running from early-to-mid March to the beginning of November in most states.

Why it matters

The biannual time change can have impacts on health and safety, with studies showing an increase in fatal car crashes and heart attacks in the days following the spring forward. Experts advise gradually adjusting sleep schedules and daily routines to help the body adapt to the time change.

The details

Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. This year, the time change will occur at 2 a.m. CT on Sunday, March 8, as clocks "spring forward" an hour. Nearly every U.S. state observes daylight saving time, with the exceptions of Arizona and Hawaii.

  • Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 2 a.m. CT.
  • Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

The players

Greg Stube

A Florida representative who introduced the "Daylight Act of 2026" proposal, which would set clocks 30 minutes ahead in spring and not change them again.

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What they’re saying

“The Daylight Act of 2026 is the next proposal in the saga of the time change battle. There is no universal answer that would make everyone happy. This is a compromise but could create more confusion.”

— Kevin Jeanes, NBC 5 Meteorologist (TikTok)

What’s next

The proposed "Daylight Act of 2026" would need to be voted on and passed by Congress before any changes to daylight saving time could be implemented.

The takeaway

While the biannual time change can have impacts on health and safety, there is no easy solution that would satisfy everyone. Experts advise gradually adjusting sleep schedules and daily routines to help the body adapt to the time change.