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
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 5%.
However, the transition periods create temporary disruptions. Studies estimate that the Monday following the spring time change results in approximately $402 million in lost productivity nationwide due to sleep deprivation and adjustment issues.
Health Considerations for Washington Residents
Medical research has revealed important health impacts of time changes in Washington. The spring forward transition is associated with a 8% 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.
Preparation Tips
✓ Consider the time change when scheduling meetings with people in other time zones.
✓ Be extra cautious driving the Monday after the spring time change - accident rates increase.
✓ Update your car clock, microwave, and other manual clocks that don't auto-update.
✓ Take advantage of the 'extra' hour in fall to catch up on sleep or tackle a project.