Daylight Saving 2018 has arrived and it’s time to turn your clocks ahead one hour. But when does the time change happen? Here’s what you need to know.
In the United States we observe two time changes. The time changes are designed to maximize the amount of daylight in a day, accounting for when the sun rises and sets seasonally. Daylight Saving takes place on the second Sunday in March, which means in 2018 we will change our clocks early on March 11.
The official time change takes place at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday morning, so for the most part people should change their clocks on Saturday before bed so that they wake up in the right time. This is the time change where we jump ahead, or forward, one hour, and that means we will lose an hour of sleep overnight. It’s all the more reason to make sure your clocks are set properly so that you wake up on time.
Most cell phones, computers and cable boxes will make the change automatically at 1:59am. You can see them jump from 1:59 to 3 a.m. and it’s minorly unnerving to see that hour go up in smoke before your eyes. Be sure to program your microwaves, ovens, car stereos and alarm clocks before bed, otherwise you might think you’re an hour early Sunday morning when you’re actually an hour late.
Arizona, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not observe Daylight Saving time so they will remain on Standard Time as everyone else jumps ahead one hour.
Next: 30 Reasons Game of Thrones Is Better Than The Walking Dead
We change our clocks twice a year, in March and November, to maximize the amount of daylight squeezed into a day. Daylight Saving takes place on the second Sunday in March and reverts to Standard Time on the first Sunday in November. The rule of thumb: “Spring forward, Fall back.”