The countdown to cosier evenings and significantly darker nights is officially on. The precise date for the end of British Summer Time (BST) has been set, marking the moment the UK reverts to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
This annual shift means the sun will set noticeably earlier, bringing a sudden end to light evenings and heralding the true start of the winter season.
When Do The Clocks Change This Year?
Prepare to gain an extra hour in bed. The change will happen in the early hours of Sunday, October 27, 2024. At 2:00 am, clocks will officially go back by one hour to 1:00 am.
While this grants a bonus hour of sleep that night, the trade-off is immediate: darkness will begin to fall much earlier in the afternoon, with sunset occurring around 4:30 pm in the days following the change.
Why Do We Change The Clocks?
The practice of changing the clocks twice a year was first introduced in the UK during World War One. The core idea was to maximise daylight hours during the working day, thereby conserving vital energy resources.
By moving the clocks forward in spring and back in autumn, an extra hour of daylight is effectively shifted from the morning to the evening. This means darker mornings but longer, lighter evenings during the summer months.
Embracing the Winter Season
The shift to GMT is a clear signal that winter is approaching. While the shorter days can be challenging for some, it’s a perfect time to embrace the hygge lifestyle.
Think hearty meals, warm drinks, and curling up indoors. It also means festive lights will soon begin to twinkle, adding a magical glow to the early darkness.
Remember to manually adjust any analogue clocks, ovens, or car time displays. While most smartphones and digital devices update automatically, it's always wise to double-check to avoid any morning mishaps.
