Home / Editor's Pick /

Fall back tonight! Why do the clocks change?

14:00
26 October 2024

Fall back tonight!
Why do the clocks change?

Clock

We're all familiar with the 'spring forward, fall back saying', but why do we change our clocks here? Is it actually beneficial?

The days are getting shorter and winter is drawing in. The last Sunday of October marks the day that our clocks change, and at 2 am on Sunday 27th October, they will jump back one hour.

We gain one extra hour in bed, so it's great news for most of us, except those who will be working the night shift.

The key reason we use 'Daylight Saving Time' is so that we get the most out of our daylight. We gain lighter mornings as we will get up an hour earlier, but our evenings will be darker earlier.

This system has been in place since 1971, but was first introduced by the German government in 1916 during the first World War as means to save electricity.

However, similar ideas were introduced as early as the late 1800s, and with Coldplay's Chris Martin's great grandfather also being known to propose it in 1907.

In 2019, the European parliament voted to scrap the change. However the change has not yet been implemented and also no longer applies to the UK post-Brexit.

So, don't forget to change your clocks and whether you like the concept or not, there's unfortunately just no avoiding the colder and darker months.

Check your weekend weather hereread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
The image is split into two scenes: on the left, dark grey storm clouds loom heavily over rooftops of brick houses, creating a dramatic sky; on the right, large clouds stretch across a calmer evening sky above the sea, with silhouettes of offshore wind turbines visible on the horizon.
Sunday 31 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Unsettled week with plenty to snap
Dust cloud over Tucson alongside weather radar showing thunderstorms in Arizona.
Thursday 28 August 2025

Fascinating phenomenon

Dust storm hits major city in the USA
On the left, a satellite image of a hurricane over the sea; on the right, a man in a clearance vehicle clearing debris and food in a flooded supermarket.
Friday 29 August 2025

Twenty years ago today

Hurricane Katrina hits US Gulf Coast
All weather news
This might also interest you
Sunday 17 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Summer shots from a warm week
Sunday 24 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mammatus clouds widely spotted
Mammatus clouds
Thursday 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement