As the long winter of 2026 continues, many across the UK are eagerly anticipating the longer, lighter days ahead. The key shift comes with the start of British Summer Time, but this annual change brings a temporary delay to those cherished early morning sunrises.
The Spring Forward and Its Impact on Sunrise
This year, the clocks will spring forward by one hour at 1am on Sunday, March 29, marking the official commencement of British Summer Time (BST). While this delivers the welcome benefit of lighter evenings, it simultaneously pushes sunrise times later, meaning mornings become darker again for a period.
The days have been gradually lengthening since the Winter Solstice on December 21, 2025. Consequently, several parts of the country will actually experience the sun cresting the horizon before 6am in the weeks leading up to the clock change. However, once that hour is 'lost' on March 29, these pre-6am sunrises will vanish for a short while.
Key Dates for Pre-6am Sunrises Across the UK
Looking at the UK's most easterly point, Ness Point in Lowestoft, provides the earliest indicator. Here, sunrises will occur before 6am from around March 19, over a week before the clocks change. After BST begins, residents in this area will need to wait until approximately April 14 to see the sun rise before 6am once more.
For the UK's capital, London is forecast to see its first pre-6am sunrise around March 22. Following the shift to BST, Londoners won't witness this early light again until about April 18.
In Scotland, Edinburgh can expect a sunrise before 6am around March 26. After the time change, the first sub-6am sunrise is predicted for April 19.
For Cardiff in Wales, the last pre-6am sunrise before the clocks change is expected around March 28, just a day before. The wait for the next one after BST starts is longer, forecast for around April 24.
Embracing the Shift in Daylight
The transition to British Summer Time is a definitive sign that spring is firmly underway. The primary effect is a significant redistribution of daylight, favouring the evening for outdoor activities and socialising. While the immediate loss of bright early mornings can be a jolt, the overall increase in daily sunlight continues unabated after the solstice.
Understanding these specific sunrise dates helps individuals plan their routines, whether for morning exercise, commuting, or simply enjoying the dawn. The pattern clearly shows how the clock change temporarily interrupts the natural progression of earlier sunrises, with the most westerly locations, like Cardiff, experiencing the longest wait for their return.
