Daylight saving time 2026–2027: when clocks change and how time differences shift

In 2026 the US falls back on November 1 and springs forward again on March 14, 2027; the UK and EU fall back on October 25, 2026 and go forward on March 28, 2027. Because these dates differ, the gap between New York and London is 4 hours instead of 5 for two weeks in March and one week around the start of November. British Columbia, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba no longer change their clocks, and Morocco is on UTC+0 all year. Cuba skips its November 1, 2026 clock change and stays on UTC−4 until November 7, 2027.

When the clocks change

The times are local, as shown on the clock just before the change. In the US the rule covers most states; Hawaii and most of Arizona do not change. They are worked out from the IANA time zone database and match the official notices for the US, the UK, New South Wales and New Zealand (sources at the end).

Why the gap between two cities changes for a few weeks

North America and Europe do not switch on the same day, and the southern hemisphere switches the other way round. For a short stretch, the usual gap is off by an hour. The table shows the gap on a few dates in 2026:

Swipe the table sideways

If you schedule a call across these weeks, check the date, not just the usual gap. The meeting planner works on the exact date you pick.

Places whose clock rules changed in 2026

According to the IANA time zone database change log, British Columbia (Vancouver) has stayed on UTC−7 since its March 2026 spring forward, Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton) and the Northwest Territories on UTC−6, and Manitoba (Winnipeg) on UTC−5. Morocco ended daylight saving time on September 20, 2026 and stays on UTC+0. From November 1, 2026, Vancouver is therefore an hour ahead of Los Angeles for the winter.

Cuba skips its November 1, 2026 clock change and stays on UTC−4 until November 7, 2027. From November 1, 2026 to March 14, 2027, Havana is therefore an hour ahead of New York.

These rules arrived in IANA releases 2026b to 2026f. Devices and browsers with older time zone data can show these places an hour off. The world clock applies the new rules even in older browsers and tells you when your browser is behind.

Working it out yourself

Write each city as an offset from UTC, then subtract. New York in winter is UTC−5 and London UTC+0, so London is 5 hours ahead. On March 20, 2026 New York is already on UTC−4 while London is still on UTC+0, so the gap is 4 hours.