Tonight, between Saturday and Sunday (October 26-27, 2024), clocks will be set back by one hour. At 2:00 AM, the clocks will turn back to 1:00 AM, providing an additional hour of sleep. This transition marks the official beginning of winter in Israel.
This clock change was established by law in 2013, which mandates the switch to winter time on the last Sunday of October. The change means an earlier sunrise, along with an earlier sunset. Winter time will remain in effect until March 28, 2025.
For most smartphone users, the time update will happen automatically. However, it is recommended to ensure that the phone’s time settings are set to automatic updates.
The switch to winter time brings significant physiological changes. During this period, as daylight hours shorten, the body’s melatonin levels increase, which may lead to a heightened sense of fatigue. At the same time, the reduction in sunlight exposure affects serotonin levels, the hormone responsible for mood, which can contribute to feelings of winter melancholy.
A major advantage of winter time is aligning human activity hours with natural daylight hours, allowing for more efficient use of daylight, both on a personal and economic level.
The United States and other countries change their clocks in a week from now. Therefore, the time difference between Israel and Eastern time, for example, will be 6 hours instead of 7 for the next week.
