DO YOU KNOW: WHY THE CLOCKS ARE CHANGED EARLIER THIS YEAR

As the days grow longer and warmer, we are approaching the period when the sun will set after 6 PM, marking the arrival of daylight saving time. On the last weekend of March, clocks will be moved forward by one hour.

PHOTO: Pixabay

In the night between Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, daylight saving time officially begins. At that moment, clocks will be set one hour ahead.

This means that the day will effectively last one hour less—only 23 hours—but evenings will be brighter, with darkness falling later.

So why does it seem like the clocks are changing earlier this year?

Data from the past decade shows that the transition to daylight saving time can vary in its exact date.

The explanation, however, is simple. Across Europe, including our region, the rule has remained the same for years: the time change always occurs on the last Sunday of March (and on the last Sunday of October when reverting back)

Since calendar dates shift each year, the exact date of that final Sunday also changes. Sometimes it falls later in the month, and sometimes earlier.

In other words, the rule has not changed—it is still the last weekend of March. However, because the dates vary from year to year, in 2026 it may appear as though the clocks are being adjusted earlier.

On March 29 at 2:00 AM, the time will jump directly to 3:00 AM. We will lose one hour of sleep, making the day effectively 23 hours long—but in return, we gain longer daylight in the evenings from that point onward.