Daylight saving time: How would permanently changing the clocks affect your state?

(Nexstar) – As autumn approaches, it’s nearly time for daylight saving time to end, which means most of the U.S. will set their clocks back an hour. You might enjoy that extra hour of sleep on November 2nd, but be prepared to see sunsets happen earlier as the weeks go by.

With these seasonal changes, discussions about potentially “locking the clock” into a year-round time gain traction. The main debate centers around whether an extra hour of daylight is better enjoyed in the morning or the evening, and opinions often hinge on personal circumstances and locations.

Take Arizona, for instance. This state, along with Hawaii, opts for standard time year-round, which is a choice allowed by Congress. As a result, residents experience earlier sunsets, offering a welcome reprieve from the intense summer heat without shifting their clocks.

For example, in Phoenix, temperatures can soar into the hundreds, with the sun setting before 7:30 PM. Las Vegas, not too far away, has a later sunset—close to 8 PM. This earlier evening light allows Arizonans to get out and enjoy cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings.

However, in states with harsher winters, the prospect of more daylight during summer evenings can be particularly appealing. In Wisconsin, if they followed Arizona’s approach to standard time, the sun would set well before 8 PM—possibly even by 7 PM—shortening the precious time available for outdoor activities after work.

This table illustrates how sunrise and sunset times differ between those who keep permanent standard time versus those who shift their clocks twice a year.

Of course, not everyone in states like Wisconsin would necessarily support a permanent daylight saving time adjustment.

In the colder months, most places experience shifts in sunrise and sunset times, and keeping daylight saving time year-round would alter these patterns significantly. For instance, while you might appreciate evening light, waking up to the sun rising as late as 9 AM in winter may not be ideal.

This impacts how communities function, especially for school children who have to travel in dark winter mornings. Safety concerns have been an issue, leading to some past attempts to maintain a permanent daylight saving time.

To that end, ongoing federal initiatives aim to secure permanent daylight saving time across the country, with various states considering similar measures. While states can choose to stick to standard time, legislation is also being proposed that would allow for a shift to permanent daylight savings time.

For now, however, don’t forget to set your clock back on November 2nd.