Millions of residents across the United States and Canada are gearing up for the end of daylight saving time this weekend, a transition that grants an extra hour of sleep overnight while shifting sunrises and sunsets an hour earlier. Standard time officially returns on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, as clocks roll backward from 2 a.m. local daylight time to 1 a.m.

Despite ongoing legislative debates, this traditional time change proceeds as scheduled this year. Here is everything you need to navigate the upcoming shift.

Exact Timing for the Fall Back

The adjustment occurs precisely at 2 a.m. local daylight time on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, shifting the time back to 1 a.m. standard time. The familiar mnemonic "spring forward, fall back" helps residents remember the adjustment direction.

Because the U.S. spans multiple time zones, the change hits regions sequentially. While smartphones, laptops, and internet-connected devices typically update on their own, analog timepieces, wall clocks, and appliances like microwaves and car dashboards generally require manual adjustment.

Understanding the Extra Hour

The weekend transition effectively grants a 25-hour day on Sunday, Nov. 1, by repeating the 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. hour. The most striking impact, however, involves daily light cycles. Both sunrise and sunset shift an hour earlier by the clock, creating brighter mornings and significantly darker evenings.

Exemptions Across North America

Several regions do not participate in the twice-yearly ritual:

  • Arizona: Maintains Mountain Standard Time year-round, except for the Navajo Nation, which observes daylight saving time.
  • Hawaii: Stays on Hawaii Standard Time permanently.
  • U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands skip the transition.
  • Canada: Yukon, the vast majority of Saskatchewan, and specific localized areas bypass regular time changes. Notably, Alberta joins these exceptions on Nov. 1, 2026, adopting permanent Alberta Time instead of turning clocks back.

The Status of the Sunshine Protection Act

Although the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Sunshine Protection Act by a 308–117 vote in July to establish permanent daylight saving time, the bill stalled in the Senate after being referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Because the legislation has not been enacted into law, current federal statutes mandate the seasonal time change.

Public Sentiment on Time Changes

Public opinion polls indicate widespread dissatisfaction with the current biannual adjustments, though consensus on a replacement remains elusive. A Gallup survey revealed that 48% of respondents preferred permanent standard time, 24% advocated for permanent daylight saving time, and 19% favored keeping the status quo.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Unless federal lawmakers pass new legislation in the interim, standard time will conclude on Sunday, March 14, 2027. At 2 a.m. local standard time, clocks will spring forward to 3 a.m. local daylight time, reclaiming the hour gained during the autumn transition.