As November approaches, Ohioans can look forward to a bit more time each day as daylight saving time comes to a close. The clocks will fall back one hour on November 3, marking the end of daylight saving time and returning to standard time.
This change will result in earlier sunsets and sunrises, with dawn occurring around 6 a.m. As the days continue to shorten leading up to the winter solstice on December 21—the shortest day of the year—residents will experience diminishing daylight hours.
Daylight saving time was officially recognized in Ohio with the Uniform Time Act in 1966, which established its start and end times. Initially, it began on the last Sunday of April and concluded at the end of October. However, the schedule was modified in 2005 to start on the second Sunday of March and end on the first Sunday of November. The concept of daylight saving time itself dates back to the early 1900s and was designed to conserve energy during wartime.
Ohioans should remember to set their clocks back manually at 2 a.m. on November 3, although most smartphones will adjust automatically. The end of daylight saving time will provide many residents with an extra hour of sleep as the night extends.
Despite its historical intentions, modern technology has reduced the effectiveness of daylight saving time in energy conservation. Additionally, concerns about potential health risks associated with this time change have surfaced. There have been attempts to make daylight saving time a permanent fixture, notably with the Sunshine Protection Act passed by the U.S. Senate in 2022, though it did not advance in the House of Representatives.
Looking ahead to 2025, daylight saving time will commence on March 9 and conclude on November 2.