Washington falls back Sunday as debate over clock changes continues

It is that time of year again — time to fall back. Yes, it is time to change from Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), effective at 2 a.m. early Sunday morning, Nov. 1.

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature voted to authorize keeping the state on daylight time. West Coast states Oregon and California have done the same.

The holdup on this change is the U.S. Congress. Only Congress can authorize one or more states to stay permanently in daylight time.

Earlier this year, in July, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, addressing ending the twice-a-year clock changes nationwide. This bill was sent to the U.S. Senate, where it now sits with the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

To have the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 become law, the bill needs to pass the Senate and be signed by the president. But that action has not occurred yet. So the change to Standard Time on Sunday continues as it has in the past.

British Columbia to remain on Daylight Time

Earlier this year, British Columbia gave up waiting on U.S. congressional action and acted to remain on Daylight Saving Time.

Starting Sunday, British Columbia will be one hour ahead of the U.S. West Coast, including Washington, adding new time zone-related confusion when crossing the international boundary.

In March, when Standard Time ‘springs ahead’ to Daylight Time, Washington will again have the time zones realigned with British Columbia.

Time to also change batteries

Fire agencies remind us that the time change on Sunday is also a good time to change the batteries in smoke detectors. Too many fatal fire tragedies occur because the smoke detector(s) had a dead battery.

In addition, the National Weather Service (NWS) reminds you to also change the backup batteries in your all-hazard National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radios. If not familiar with all-hazard weather radios, visit the NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards home page, including how these devices can alert you to not only immediate lifesaving weather warnings like tornadoes and flash floods, but also emergency messages from your local authorities for events like hazardous releases and wildfire warnings.

The NWS Seattle forecast office that serves much of western Washington has weather radio stations in Seattle, near Port Townsend, Blaine, Olympia, Forks, and near Randle, reaching nearly the entire region.

With the holidays now just seven weeks away, NOAA Weather Radio receivers for your home, car, business, place of worship, health care facility, and more can make a fine holiday gift idea for loved ones. These weather radios are a lifesaver for the price of a pair of shoes and include external features to help those with sight and hearing disabilities.

So remember to turn clocks back one hour Saturday night. Cell phones and computers will make the time change themselves. Perhaps this time change will be the last one if Congress takes action in the coming year!

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. Follow him on X and Bluesky. Read more of his stories here.