Fall back 1 hour! Why we switch to daylight saving time

The days are getting shorter, the beautiful fall colors are at their peak across much of the state, and temperatures are dropping as we approach the shortest day of the year, December 21st. This weekend we have a “relapse”; Daylight saving time ends in Michigan, bringing with it brighter mornings and darker afternoons.

Here's what you should know about the end of Daylight Saving Time and the return to Standard Time:

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2024. This is the first Sunday in November and marks the return to standard time.

Daylight saving time or time change?

Although it is often referred to as daylight saving time, the correct term is “summer time” without the “s” at the end.

What time do the clocks go back?

When local time reaches 2 a.m. on November 3, clocks will move back one hour to 1 a.m

Your smartphones, computers and smartwatches automatically adjust to the time change. However, if you have device clocks, old-fashioned clocks or analog clocks, remember to set them manually.

When does the sun rise on Sunday morning?

The sun rises around 7:13 a.m. on Sunday morning and sets at 5:27 p.m. on Sunday evening

What is Daylight Saving Time?

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, daylight saving time is when “daylight” begins an hour later in the morning and lasts an hour longer in the evening.

This allows the daylight hour to be coordinated with the time when most people are active outside. Daylight saving time is intended to save energy because in the warmer months the majority of people spend time outside rather than at home, which saves energy.

When is the shortest day of the year in 2024?

The shortest day of the year marks the winter solstice, the first day of winter. This year it falls on Saturday, December 21, 2024.

When does daylight saving time start in 2025?

Daylight saving time begins again on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: [email protected].

Jalen Williams is a trends reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].