The "fall back" refers to the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the autumn, where clocks are turned back one hour to return to standard time. This adjustment effectively repeats one hour of the day.
Understanding Fall Back
When we "fall back," we're transitioning from DST back to standard time. Here's how it works:
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Clock Adjustment: The primary action is to set our clocks back by one hour. For example, if it's 2:00 AM on the day of the transition, the clock is set back to 1:00 AM. This means the hour from 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM is experienced twice.
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Gaining an Hour: In practical terms, we gain an hour because this repeated hour makes the day 25 hours long instead of the standard 24.
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Transition: Local time jumps from DST back to standard time, completing the cycle of shifting clocks for the purpose of making better use of daylight hours.
Example of Fall Back
Let's look at a scenario:
| Time (DST) | Action | Time (Standard) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 AM | 1:00 AM | DST time | |
| 2:00 AM | Clock moves back | 1:00 AM | Clock is set back one hour; this hour is repeated |
| 2:00 AM | 2:00 AM | Standard time |
Key Takeaways
- Falling back means setting the clocks back one hour in the autumn.
- This action effectively adds an extra hour to the day.
- It signifies the end of DST and a return to standard time.
