2024 Time Change Schedule
| Season | Date | Time | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2024-03-10 | 2:00 AM | Clocks forward to 3:00 AM |
| Fall | 2024-11-03 | 2:00 AM | Clocks back to 1:00 AM |
Time Until Next Change
Economic Impact of DST in Washington
The economic implications of Daylight Saving Time in Washington are significant and multifaceted. Retail businesses often report increased sales during DST months due to extended evening daylight hours, which encourages shopping and dining out. The tourism and recreation industries particularly benefit, with golf courses, theme parks, and other outdoor venues seeing revenue increases of up to 4%.
However, the transition periods create temporary disruptions. Studies estimate that the Monday following the spring time change results in approximately $473 million in lost productivity nationwide due to sleep deprivation and adjustment issues.
Agricultural Considerations
Farmers in Washington 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.
Preparation Tips
✓ Check and replace smoke detector batteries when changing clocks - it's a good reminder!
✓ Remember that not all countries change on the same date - check international meeting times carefully.
✓ Set your clocks before going to bed to avoid confusion in the morning.
✓ Update your car clock, microwave, and other manual clocks that don't auto-update.