Israel Prepares to Transition to Winter Time: Clocks Go Back This Weekend
Israel will transition to winter time on October 25, 2026, turning clocks back one hour at 02:00 AM. The shift brings earlier sunsets, brighter mornings, and runs until March 2027.
Israel is preparing to transition to winter time for the 2026–2027 season, moving the clocks back one hour on the night between Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25. At 02:00 AM, the hands will be turned back to 01:00 AM, granting citizens an extra hour of sleep as the 01:00 to 02:00 hour repeats.
Sunset and Sunrise Adjustments
This shift, regulated by the Time Determination Law, means that sunrise and sunset will occur earlier according to the official clock. On Sunday, October 25, the sun is expected to set in Tel Aviv at 16:57, compared to 17:58 the previous day. In Jerusalem, sunset will occur at 16:56, in Haifa at 16:55, and in Beersheba at 16:58. Morning light will also arrive earlier, with sunrise in Tel Aviv shifting from 06:51 on Saturday to 05:51 on Sunday.
The Science of National Time
Behind the digital and analog clocks across the country lies a precise measurement system operated by the National Physical Laboratory at the Ministry of Economy and Industry. Dr. Oleg Popov, the ministry's officer for time and frequency measurements, explains that Israel's national time is synchronized continuously with international laboratories.
The national time in Israel is determined using three cesium atomic systems that compare data with global laboratories 86,400 times a day to maintain absolute precision.
Winter time places Israel at UTC+2, two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time, while summer time operates at UTC+3. The current winter schedule will remain in effect until March 26, 2027, when the country will return to daylight saving time.
