Clocks Spring Forward for Daylight Saving Time on March 9, 2025

CHICAGO, IL — Daylight Saving Time (DST) will begin on Sunday, March 9, 2025, prompting residents across the United States to set their clocks forward by one hour at 2 a.m. This time change is designed to extend evening daylight during the spring and summer months, providing longer days.

Although the majority of the United States will participate in this time shift, exceptions include Hawaii and most of Arizona, which do not observe Daylight Saving Time. In Canada, some regions, including parts of British Columbia and Saskatchewan, also opt out.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, daylight saving time has been legally mandated in the U.S. since it was established by the Uniform Time Act of 1966. The act was aimed at standardizing the observance of DST. Currently, states are allowed to exempt themselves from the practice, but must adhere to federally mandated start and end dates if they choose to participate.

This year, the clocks will spring forward, meaning Americans will lose an hour of sleep. According to Dr. Darien Sutton, a medical contributor for ABC News, adjusting to this time change can be challenging. He advises people to gradually alter their bedtime leading up to the clock change and suggests taking short naps if they feel fatigued.

Daylight Saving Time was first implemented in the U.S. during World War I to conserve energy. Since then, it has gone through various adjustments, with the current schedule established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which changed the dates to the current second Sunday in March for the start and the first Sunday in November for the end.

The shift toward longer daylight hours often sparks debate about the health impacts of altering our clocks. Research from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has indicated potential risks, including increased heart attacks and sleep disruptions in the days following the switch.

Each year, the conversation around making DST permanent resurfaces. In recent years, nearly 20 states have introduced legislation advocating for year-round daylight saving time, but federal approval is still required for those changes to take effect. In 2022, the Sunshine Protection Act passed the Senate but stalled in the House of Representatives.

Sleep experts argue that a permanent shift to standard time may better align with our natural circadian rhythms. Dr. James Rowley, a professor of medicine at Rush University, emphasized that while more evening light is appealing, it can lead to complications during winter months when mornings are darker. He stated, “Having sunshine in the morning actually helps us to fall asleep at nighttime.”

In addition to health considerations, the economic implications of DST are also debated. Proponents argue that the extended daylight hours boost activities and commerce, while opponents say the energy savings may not be as significant as once believed.

As the springtime clock change approaches, residents are reminded to set their clocks forward an hour to enjoy those longer evenings, regardless of the ongoing debates surrounding the practice. The United States will “fall back” an hour on November 2, 2025, ending the daylight saving period for the year.