WARREN, Ark. — Residents across Arkansas and the rest of the United States will need to adjust their clocks this weekend as Daylight Saving Time begins early Sunday morning.
At 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, clocks will move forward one hour to 3 a.m., meaning most people will lose one hour of sleep but gain more daylight in the evening hours.
The change marks the start of Daylight Saving Time for 2026, which will remain in effect until Sunday, November 1, when clocks will “fall back” one hour and return to standard time.
Daylight Saving Time is observed across most of the United States, including Arkansas. However, Hawaii and most of Arizona do not follow the time change, remaining on standard time year-round.
The practice of adjusting clocks to extend evening daylight dates back more than a century. The United States first adopted Daylight Saving Time during World War I in 1918 as a way to conserve fuel and energy. Today, the system is governed by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which standardized when states change their clocks.
Supporters say the time change allows for longer daylight hours in the evening during spring and summer months, which can benefit outdoor activities and businesses. However, the twice-yearly clock change has also been widely debated, with critics arguing it disrupts sleep patterns and daily routines.
Most smartphones, computers, and other digital devices will update automatically overnight, but residents should remember to manually adjust items such as wall clocks, appliances, and vehicle clocks before heading to bed Saturday night.
A common reminder many people use is the phrase “spring forward, fall back.”
For now, the familiar routine continues — so don’t forget to move the clocks ahead one hour before Sunday morning arrives.
