the date is imminent, how do we switch to winter time?

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date and instructions for changing to winter time

When is the October 2024 time change date? What time does the switch take place? Here’s what you need to know to understand everything about the transition to winter time.

The time change is coming! The last days of October are always associated with this important time of the year when the country passeswinter. France has carried out this change twice annually, since 1976, which shows that the French are used to the time change and that it has now become a ritual.

The time change carried out in October allows the French to switch to winter time, marking for France the entry into the coolest and least luminous days of the year. And it’s imminent now because it’s this weekend that the time change takes place.

The time change was introduced in France in 1976, following the oil crisis. The objective was to save energy by making the most of daylight. The idea was simple: by moving the clocks forward one hour when spring arrived, we reduced the need for lighting in the evening. This system was then harmonized at European level in the 1990s, in order to facilitate trade between Member States.

With the evolution of energy consumption patterns and the new needs linked to ever more numerous electrical appliances, the savings made thanks to the time change have become negligible. If the European Union has taken steps to put an end to the time change, the end of the measure, although often mentioned, should not see the light of day quickly. The change to summer time at the end of March and the change to winter time in October continue and are expected to occur for several years.

The transition to winter time, with an hour of “gained” sleep, is often perceived as smoother than that to summer time. It allows our body to return to a more natural rhythm, where sunrise coincides more with waking up. Studies have shown that winter time is closer to the majority of people’s internal body clocks, which can contribute to better sleep quality and more restful rest.

During winter, the days are shorter, and the time change allows for more natural light in the morning. Light plays a key role in regulating our mood and well-being. Exposure to natural light early in the day can help alleviate symptoms of “winter blues” or seasonal depression, a condition that affects many people during the darker months.

It is at 3 a.m. precisely, Sunday October 27 that we change the time. At 3 a.m., we move the clocks back one hour to 2 o’clock. This means that that night, we gain an extra hour of sleep. Why at 3am? : The change is made at this late hour to minimize disruptions to daily life, particularly on transport and professional activities. This is a time when few people are active, which limits the inconvenience.

Most electronic devices (smartphones, computers, televisions) update automatically using the internet clock. However, for mechanical clocks or watches, you have to remember to adjust them manually.

What time is it exactly in France?

To help everyone find their way before and after the summer time change, we have integrated this module into our page from the specialized site WebHorloge.frwhich displays Paris time live. This clock displays the exact time, taking into account time changes.

The change from winter to summer time as we know it today was introduced by decree in 1975, following the oil crisis. It is then a question of establishing a summer time at GMT+2, i.e. two hours difference with natural time, from the following March. Objective: to better align natural lighting and human activities from spring onwards, to save energy.

The end of March is then chosen to coincide with the spring equinox, synonymous with the return of sunny days and longer days. The return to “normal” time (evening GMT+1) is logically set inversely as the autumn equinox approaches, i.e. at the end of October. The weekend and in particular the night from Saturday to Sunday will quickly appear to be the time when the immediate impact of the time change will be the most limited.

It was the Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) which initiated the seasonal time change, as the government agency responsible for ensuring the optimization of the energy bill. In a summary of 2010the organization still estimated the savings made the previous year thanks to the time change at 440 GWh.

The time change was harmonized at European level in 1998 and is today applied by all EU member states and 70 countries in total. However, it has been highly controversial for years. Its detractors point above all to energy gains that are too limited, especially with the evolution of technologies and uses, as well as negative effects on health, sleep and road safety.

No, the winter time change is not the last. In March 2019, after consultation, the European Parliament adopted a majority project to end the time change, but it will not be implemented for several years. The said draft directive provided for the abolition of rapid time change: to do this, each Member State had to decide between remaining on winter time or remaining on summer time.

The European Parliament had also called for coordination between the Member States and the European Commission so that the application of permanent hours (winter and summer) in the different countries does not disrupt the functioning of the internal market.

The directive was to be adopted by the Council at the end of 2020, then transposed by the member states, underlines the official Vie Publique website. However, because of the health crisis linked to Covid-19, Brexit, then the upheavals caused by the war in Ukraine, without forgetting the hesitations of European leaders, the text in question on the end of the time change is not no longer on the agenda “and should not be discussed in the near future”, concludes the French administration website. And once put back on the table, the debates should be long: “It is up to each Member State to decide on the legal time it wishes to adopt” confirmed the European Commission. at Euronews in fall 2022.

If the majority of French people have expressed their weariness with the time change and their desire to put an end to it, the debate on the time zone to adopt remains open. According to the consultation carried out by the National Assembly in 2019, 59% of respondents expressed their preference for permanent summer time, which would allow them to benefit from longer bright evenings. However, some public health experts caution against this option, arguing that permanent DST could disrupt sleep cycles and have health consequences.

Health and biological rhythm professionals emphasize the importance of morning light in regulating the human body. By choosing permanent summer time, France could see an increase in disorders linked to lack of morning light, which could impact concentration, mood, and even productivity.

The summer time change system, the objective of which is to save energy, is very widespread in the countries of the northern hemisphere, but could disappear in the years to come. The cause, in particular, is the harmful effects on our health. In total, around 70 countries implement the time change around the world. The United States, Canada, part of Australia, Brazil and Morocco still practice the switch to summer time today.

You can find more infographics at Statista

What are the time zones in the European Union?

As stated on the official website of the European Council, “Member States have the option to choose the time zone in which they wish to be located”. Today, there are three. The first concerns Western Europe with Ireland and Portugal. The second, Central Europe which includes no less than 17 states. Finally, Eastern Europe made up of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.


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