As November approaches, Ohioans will soon enjoy a slight extension of daylight as daylight saving time comes to an end. This year, clocks will fall back one hour on November 3, marking the end of the seasonal clock change that began in March.
With the adjustment, residents will experience earlier sunsets as winter months progress and days grow shorter. Sunrises are expected to occur earlier as well, likely around 6 a.m.
After the clocks are set back in November, the amount of daylight will continue to diminish until the winter solstice, which occurs on December 21, the shortest day of the year in many areas.
Daylight saving time first gained official recognition in Ohio with the enforcement of the Uniform Time Act in 1966. Initially, it began on the last Sunday of April and ended on the last Sunday of October, but this was shifted to the current schedule of the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November in 2005. The concept of daylight saving time began in the early 1900s as a method to conserve energy during wartime.
Ohio residents will turn back their clocks at 2 a.m. on November 3. Most smartphones will automatically adjust the time, while traditional clocks will need to be reset manually.
For many, this change may mean an extra hour of sleep, as the clock adjustment allows for a longer night than usual.
Despite its historical intention to save energy, questions regarding the effectiveness of daylight saving time have emerged in modern times, along with studies suggesting potential health risks associated with the time change. Efforts to make daylight saving time permanent were attempted with the introduction of the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, which passed the U.S. Senate but did not advance in the House of Representatives, leaving its future uncertain.
Looking ahead, daylight saving time is scheduled to begin on March 9, 2025, and conclude on November 2.