This story was published on March 21, 2022.
Many Chattanoogans are enjoying the warmer weather and extra hour of evening sunshine afforded by clocks “springing forward” on the second Sunday in March – which, according to a bill passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate, could become permanent.
The Sunshine Protection Act would establish year-round daylight saving time starting in 2023, meaning clocks wouldn’t roll back an hour at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, making winter evenings lighter and mornings darker.
Cities situated on the western edge of their respective time zones, such as Chattanooga, would be most impacted by the darker mornings. If the bill were to become law, the sun in Chattanooga would rise after 8:30 a.m. starting in December through mid-February, with the latest sunrise occurring at 8:49 a.m.
In winter evenings, the earliest sunsets would occur at 6:29 p.m. as opposed to 5:29 p.m.