Solar Time 2024: Time Change. When to set the clocks back

Solar Time, when does it change in 2024? As tradition dictates, on the last Sunday of October, solar time will return.

In 2024, the transition from daylight saving time to solar time will occur on the night between Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27.

Specifically, at 2:00 AM, the clocks will be set back one hour, gifting us an extra 60 minutes of sleep.

This marks the end of daylight saving time that has accompanied us during the pleasant season and the beginning of solar time, a period with shorter days and earlier sunsets.

But what does this time change really imply? And will this perhaps be the last time we have to set the clocks back?

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The primary effect of transitioning to solar time is the increase in darkness during the afternoon hours.

Starting October 27, the sun will set an hour earlier, reducing the time available for outdoor activities after work or school. On the flip side, we will gain an hour of daylight in the morning.

In addition to gaining an hour of sleep that night, we must adjust to the earlier sunset, something many find difficult, especially during the winter months.

The choice to change the time at night, specifically between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM, is related to logistical reasons.

At this hour, rail, air, and road traffic is at its lowest: the impact on travel and work shifts is therefore minimized. Moreover, the time change is made over the weekend when schools and offices are closed, allowing for a more gradual adjustment.

Solar time represents the natural time based on the solar cycle, which should ideally be in effect year-round.

Daylight saving time, implemented to make the most of sunlight during the summer months, pushes the clocks forward by 60 minutes from March to October.

The primary reason behind daylight saving time is energy savings, as it allows us to use less electricity due to longer days.

The transition to solar time has an immediate impact on the length of the days: sunset happens an hour earlier, reducing the afternoon daylight hours.

This change can affect mood and biological rhythm, with effects such as difficulty maintaining high energy levels in the evening and increased susceptibility to fatigue.

Additionally, the reduced number of daylight hours can foster what's known as "seasonal affective disorder" or SAD. On the bright side, the night of the change provides us with an extra hour of sleep, useful for regaining energy.

In recent years, there has been much discussion about abolishing the change between solar time and daylight saving time.

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In 2018, the European Commission held an online consultation to propose the abolition of the time change.

And 84% of participants expressed support for eliminating daylight saving time. Some studies have indeed shown that too many hours of light and reduced sleep hours - consequences of implementing daylight saving time - lead to problems and minor imbalances comparable to those of jet lag.

It is certain that since 2018, European countries are no longer required to "adapt" to the time change. This has led some countries, like Russia, to already opt for solar time year-round, while others like France are on the verge of adopting the same solution.

Nordic countries, on the other hand, understandably wish to benefit from daylight saving time for a full 12 months. The matter remains unresolved, but the hope of the EU is to reach a common decision for all member states.