Permanent Daylight Saving Time Could Delay Sunrises Past 9 AM in Sarasota Area
In the Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota) area, under a permanent daylight saving time scenario, the sun would rise after 9 a.m. for several winter days.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, July 27, 2026 —
A shift to permanent daylight saving time in the Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota) region could result in sunrises occurring after 9 a.m. on multiple days during the winter months.
This potential consequence stems from the ongoing discussion and consideration of whether to adopt year-round daylight saving time. If such a change were to be enacted, the area would not revert to standard time in the fall. Consequently, during the winter solstice period, when daylight hours are shortest, the sun would rise significantly later in the morning.
For several days in the winter, under a permanent daylight saving time framework, the sun would not rise until after 9 a.m. This would impact morning routines for residents and could have broader implications for daily life, including potential effects on school schedules, early morning commutes, and outdoor activities that typically start earlier in the day.
The current system involves the United States observing daylight saving time from mid-March to early November, with clocks being set back by one hour to standard time during the fall and winter. A permanent adoption of daylight saving time would eliminate this seasonal time change.
The implications of a permanent switch are a subject of ongoing debate, with potential benefits such as extended evening daylight hours in the summer and potential drawbacks including later sunrises in the winter, as highlighted for the Sarasota area.
Story summarized from the original created by Addy Bink and The Hill on www.wfla.com, see more information here.
