Daylight Saving Time Starts Sunday, March 10; Longer Days and Later Sunsets on the Way in the Weeks Ahead

By Paul T. Choate

March 7, 2013. It’s almost that time again. Time to spring forward in preparation for spring (now only 13 days away). 

Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, so remember to set your clocks forward one hour. The spring forward comes a few days earlier this year than in the last three years (see table below) and will continue to trend earlier through 2015.

This annual change of the time will result in some noticeably different conditions during when most people are commuting to and from work. On Saturday, the final full day before daylight saving time begins, the sun will rise at 6:46 a.m. and will set at at 6:29 p.m. — and as we all know, it starts getting dark well before the actual sunset. However, beginning Sunday and into the coming days, the sun will be coming up around 7:45 a.m. and sunset occurs closer to 7:30 p.m. — and the days will just get longer through June 20. Therefore, for those of you on a regular daytime work schedule, it should be light out for you on the drives to and from work in the months ahead.

While you are checking your clocks, it is also a great time to check the smoke detectors in your residence. You should test your smoke detectors at least once per month and replace the batteries in them at least once per year. Even wired smoke detectors should be tested frequently. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years.

For more information about daylight saving time, check out this infographic. For more information about fire safety, visit nfpa.org.

United States daylight saving time