Daylight saving time ends Nov. 1, clocks fall back as Halloween weekend ends

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, when clocks across most of the United States move back one hour to 1 a.m. The change comes the morning after Halloween and gives Americans an extra hour of sleep. Congress has not changed the twice-yearly system, so the shift will go ahead as scheduled for most of the country.

Why the clocks are still changing

The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent and end the twice-yearly clock change, passed the House in July by a 301-117 vote. It has since stalled in the Senate, the final step before it could reach the president's desk. Lawmakers left Washington before taking up the measure, leaving federal law unchanged.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Congress to act. In an Oct. 2 post on Truth Social, he called on Senate Republicans to move the bill, which he referred to as the "No More Changing of Clocks Act." He described the current system as "ridiculous" and said most people prefer an extra hour of evening sunlight.

Several Senate Republicans remain unconvinced. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas said he dislikes changing clocks but pointed to an earlier experiment with permanent daylight saving time that was reversed after many Americans objected to very late winter sunrises. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Politico on Oct. 5 that there is "no clear path forward." Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi cited safety concerns in northern and rural states, where children may wait for school buses in darkness on winter mornings.

Public opinion and expert views

Polling shows broad frustration with the clock change. A 2023 YouGov survey found 62% of Americans favored ending it, and a January 2025 Gallup poll found 54% wanted the practice eliminated. Support is split on the alternative, however. Some want permanent daylight saving time for longer evenings, while others prefer permanent standard time for brighter winter mornings.

Sleep researchers generally agree that switching clocks can disrupt circadian rhythms and affect sleep. Many experts argue that permanent standard time would align better with the body's natural clock than permanent daylight saving time would. Christopher Barnes, a professor at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business, warned that permanent daylight saving time could cause long-term circadian misalignment for many Americans, which he linked to sleep and health problems.

Some states and U.S. territories already stay on standard time year-round. Under current law, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 set the framework, and only Congress can permanently change the system.

What it means for Michigan and what comes next

In Michigan, the Detroit Free Press reported that the clock change will bring earlier sunsets and cooler weather. AccuWeather forecast temperatures in Detroit dipping into the mid-50s starting Saturday, Oct. 31. Analog clocks will need to be changed by hand, while many phones, computers and televisions adjust automatically. Digital alarm clocks, appliances and vehicle clocks may also need manual updates.

Unless Congress passes the Sunshine Protection Act or another measure, clocks will fall back on Nov. 1 and spring forward again on March 14, 2027. What we know so far: the change is set for this weekend, the legislation is stalled in the Senate, and no final decision on the system's future has been made.