2026 Time Change Schedule
| Season | Date | Time | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2026-03-08 | 2:00 AM | Clocks forward to 3:00 AM |
| Fall | 2026-11-01 | 2:00 AM | Clocks back to 1:00 AM |
Time Until Next Change
Health Considerations for South Carolina Residents
Medical research has revealed important health impacts of time changes in South Carolina. The spring forward transition is associated with a 5% increase in heart attacks during the first three days after the change. Car accidents also spike by approximately 8% on the Monday following the spring time change.
Agricultural Considerations
Farmers in South Carolina have historically had mixed feelings about DST. While the original justification for DST included giving farmers more daylight hours, modern farming practices rely heavily on the sun's position rather than clock time. Dairy farmers particularly note that cows don't adjust their biological clocks, creating temporary disruptions in milking schedules.
Energy Consumption Patterns in South Carolina
Recent studies on energy consumption during DST in South Carolina show modest savings of approximately 0.3% in electricity usage. However, these savings are offset by increased gasoline consumption as people take advantage of extended daylight for travel and recreation. The net energy impact remains a subject of ongoing research and debate among policy makers.
Preparation Tips
✓ Use the extra evening daylight in summer for outdoor activities and vitamin D.
✓ Update your car clock, microwave, and other manual clocks that don't auto-update.
✓ Remember that not all countries change on the same date - check international meeting times carefully.
✓ Check and replace smoke detector batteries when changing clocks - it's a good reminder!