Does daylight saving time make our mornings colder?
Daylight saving time can influence how we perceive the temperature as we move our clocks forward one hour
Daylight saving time (DST), which involves adjusting our clocks twice a year, often prompts a variety of opinions and discussions. In March, we “spring forward” an hour to gain more daylight in the evenings. So, do these time changes make our mornings colder?
While DST doesn’t directly affect the weather, it can change and influence how we perceive temperatures and the shift from winter to spring.
Clocks move forward one hour at 2:00 a.m. local time on March 9, 2025, in most provinces and territories that observe daylight saving time. (Graphic created by Cheryl Santa Maria using Canva)
RELATED: How to adjust to the time change
It’s all about timing
When DST begins, clocks move forward—so many of us begin our days earlier in relation to the sun’s position. This could render mornings feeling colder as it is often cooler before sunrise.
“A night’s lowest temperatures usually occur shortly before sunrise and rise sharply once the sun pokes above the horizon,” says Dennis Mersereau, a weather specialist and journalist at The Weather Network. “By pushing sunrise back an hour, we’re exposing ourselves to the morning’s coldest air in exchange for enjoying longer evenings.”
RELATED: Here’s what happens the day after the clocks change
As the sun now rises later in the day, early risers may find themselves venturing out before temperatures begin to soar. The first few weeks after the transition can be substantially colder, most especially in areas where spring warmth has not yet fully settled in.
RELATED: Canada’s five sunniest cities to beat the winter blues
Warmer evenings bring balance
Although mornings may feel a lot colder, the extended daylight hours in the evening can compensate. A later sunset can allow individuals to take advantage and enjoy the warmest part of the day.
“Our daytime high temperatures usually occur a few hours before sunset,” explains Mersereau. “One of the main goals of daylight saving time is to give people more opportunities to enjoy the warmth of the day–and that certainly tracks with how the weather operates.”
SEE ALSO: Spring’s arrival and time change: March marks new beginnings
However, this change can also slow down how quickly the temperatures drop after sunset, making spring evenings more comfortable.
“The extra daylight in the evenings means temperatures won’t dip as fast after sunset, so people may find evenings more pleasant compared to pre-DST conditions,” Mersereau adds.
DON'T MISS: Your town will see a huge jump in daylight hours this March
WATCH BELOW: Incredible rate of increased daylight coming to Canada in March
How we experience temperature shifts
Have you ever observed how temperatures drop shortly after sunset? While DST has little effect on weather temperatures, it can change how we perceive daily temperature fluctuations. The timing of sunrise and sunset influences how we sense warmth and cold.
Experts point out that when the clocks change, so do our regular habits, such as communing and exercising, altering how we interact with temperatures throughout the day.
“Altering the clocks can even shift how thunderstorms affect us in the spring and summer months,” Mersereau says. “A thunderstorm that hits in the heart of the commute may have missed rush hour if we hadn’t set our clocks forward an hour.”
SEE ALSO: How the pandemic caused less lightning around the world
DST affects how we experience seasonal shifts without changing the temperature itself, as different portions of the day can feel cooler or warmer depending on the schedule.
Seasonal changes to watch for
Daylight saving time can also make seasonal weather changes more visible. In the first few weeks after the transition, frost or dew may last longer in the morning.
“Sunrise shifting one hour later in March can certainly affect your morning routines,” adds Mersereau. “You may find frost lingering on your windshield after the time change, adding a few extra minutes to your commute when you might not have had to scrape your windows before we sprang forward.”
This impact is particularly noticeable in areas where spring temperatures are variable, making mornings feel colder than normal.
What to keep in mind
As we prepare for the next DST change, it is important to evaluate how these changes can affect daily life. Dressing in layers can help with chilly mornings and longer daylight hours in the evening can give an opportunity to spend more time outdoors.
Daylight saving time is about more than just changing the clock; it affects how we interact with daylight and temperature throughout the day. While the mornings may feel cooler, the warmer evenings provide a wonderful trade-off.
“Daylight saving time doesn’t change the weather,” Mersereau sums up. “But it does change when we experience it.”