Autumn is in full swing, bringing cooler mornings, shorter days and earlier sunsets. And with the change in seasons comes another familiar tradition: turning back the clocks.
Daylight saving timeofficially ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks will fall back one hour to 1 a.m., marking the return to standard time.
While the time change means an extra hour of sleep for many Americans, it also means the sun will set earlier in the evening. On the bright side, mornings will see more daylight as standard time remains in effect throughout the winter.
The twice-a-year tradition has been the subject of a yearslong debate in Congress, with lawmakers weighing whether Americans should continue changing their clocks or adopt a permanent
time system.
Here's what to know about the upcoming time change and the ongoing debate over daylight saving time.
Fall back time change 2026
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks will fall back one hour to 1 a.m. The change marks the return to standard time, which will remain in effect through the winter.
Is it daylight savings time now?
Daylight saving time is currently in effect across most of the United States. Clocks moved forward one hour on Sunday, March 8, 2026, and will remain on daylight saving time until Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks turn back one hour at 2 a.m.
The return to standard time will bring earlier sunrises and more morning daylight. People will also gain an extra hour of sleep on the night of the time change. The trade-off is an earlier sunset, meaning it will get dark sooner in the late afternoon and evening.
What is the Sunshine Protection Act?
The Sunshine Protection Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 14 in a 308-117 vote. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, where it remains as of Sept. 18.
For the Sunshine Protection Act to become law, it would still need to pass the Senate and be signed by President Donald Trump, who has voiced support for the bill.
If enacted, the legislation would make daylight saving time permanent under federal law, eliminating the twice-yearly clock change for states that observe daylight saving time.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: When do clocks fall back in 2026? When daylight saving time ends
