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Here comes the sun, NYC: Daylight saving time starts Sunday
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Mar 6, 2026
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Catalina Gonella / Gothamist
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Mar 6, 2026
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It’s been a brutal winter for New Yorkers, with dangerously cold temperatures and serious snowfall. But we’re finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel — the snow is melting, temperatures are letting up and the days are getting longer.
There’s one more indisputable sign that winter’s end is near: On Sunday, the city will spring forward in time into daylight saving time. The sun will set in New York City at 6:55 p.m., officially one hour later than the day before.
New York Metro Weather, a local weather forecaster that rates the city’s weather daily, made a special announcement to celebrate the occasion.
“REJOICE!!! Sunset on Sunday in NYC is at 6:55pm. The sun wont set before 6:00pm in NYC again until October 26th, 2026,” the post read. “Don’t forget to set clocks forward an hour on Sunday at 2am!!”
“I feel good. I'm happy for the extra hour of sunlight after all the snow,” 33-year-old Queens resident Orges Bakalli said.
High school junior Marie Diaz said she feels “amazing” about more daylight at the end of her school day, especially since she takes part in sports and comes home late.
“It will be much more comfortable for my parents 'cause I live really far from my school,” she said. “ So I feel really comfortable and happier 'cause I get to hang out with my friends more.”
These New Yorkers aren’t too concerned about losing an hour of sleep, with both Bakalli and Diaz saying they’ll adapt quickly. But while an extra hour of sunlight might feel like just what the doctor ordered — as New Yorkers face the worst seasonal depression they have in years — experts say it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
Daylight saving time can have serious effects on the body. Studies show an approximately 24% spike in heart attacks on the day when clocks are turned forward and we lose an hour of sleep.
Dr. Ana Krieger, director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, said daylight saving time can adversely affect sleep regulation similar to traveling across time zones.
“The effects are more pronounced in people that experience sleep deprivation, as moving the clock one hour ahead will often cost you an hour of sleep, which can trigger daytime sleepiness and other health issues,” Krieger said. “No matter how we look at it, from a scientific point of view, DST is not healthy for your sleep.”
The time change can put drivers at risk of drowsy driving. According to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, police reported drowsiness or fatigue was a contributing factor in more than 3,000 crashes in the state last year.
“Even a small loss of sleep can impair reaction time, judgment and alertness,” state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a warning to drivers this week. “Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. I urge all New Yorkers to get adequate rest, recognize the warning signs of fatigue and pull over if they feel tired.”
To stay safe, experts recommend easing in by gradually changing your sleep pattern rather than doing it all at once — like starting with a half-hour change in your wake-up time if you can.
“If you can’t prepare, then shift all your daytime routine immediately to the new time, as if you had moved to a different time zone,” Krieger said. “Getting light exposure shortly after waking up and staying active during the day will help to adjust. It is also important to shift your meals and avoid late dinners or the use of electronic devices too close to the new bedtime, as it will make it harder to adjust.”
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Catalina Gonella
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