Explainer: why the clocks 'fall back' this weekend

This weekend, clocks across much of the United States go back by one hour, because daylight saving time is coming to an end. NBC News says the change happens on Sunday, and The Republic says it officially ends at 2 a.m., when clocks are set back an hour.^[1][2]

So what is daylight saving time? In spring, people move their clocks forward, which shifts daylight later into the evening. Global News explains that in winter this would push sunrise later, especially in places further north, so in autumn the clocks go back to standard time.^[3]

That means darker evenings but lighter mornings for the next few months. Changing the clock can still feel strange for a few days. Scientific American says time changes can affect our health more than you might expect, and it shares tips to make the switch smoother.^[7]

Not everyone wants to keep changing the clocks. Lawmakers have tried to make daylight saving time last all year, but The Washington Times reports that the Senate has delayed a bill to do that, so millions of Americans are changing their clocks again this weekend.^[4]

The Hill says people who want to end the time change like the idea of more daylight in the afternoon, when Americans are most active. Trump has kept pushing to keep daylight saving time, but The Independent points to research suggesting that could be hard on kids, who might have to go to school in the dark.^[5][8]

It is a big topic north of the border too. Many Canadian provinces and territories have already stopped changing their clocks twice a year, CJON reports, and Newfoundland and Labrador is now thinking about doing the same, The Guardian adds.^[6][9]

So when you wake up on Sunday, remember that the clocks have gone back one hour. You can read more through the links below.^[1]