Israel Shifts to Winter Time, Explaining Timekeeping Standards
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Israel will switch to winter time on the night of October 26-27, 2026, moving clocks back one hour as per the Time Determination Law. Dr. Oleg Popov from the Ministry of Economy explained the biological effects of reduced daylight and the scientific basis for Israel's national time. The National Laboratory of Physics maintains Israel's official time using atomic clocks, ensuring accuracy for various daily applications.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel switches to winter time on the night of Saturday, October 26, 2026.
- Clocks will be set back one hour from 2:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
- The transition is governed by the 2013 Time Determination Law.
- Reduced daylight in winter can affect melatonin and serotonin levels.
- Israel's national time is UTC+2 in winter, maintained by the National Laboratory of Physics.
Israel will transition to winter time on the night between Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27, 2026. According to the 2013 Time Determination Law, clocks are moved back one hour from 2:00 AM to 1:00 AM on the last Sunday of October. Winter time concludes on the last Friday of March, when clocks are advanced one hour for summer time.
Dr. Oleg Popov, Manager of Time and Frequency Measurements at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, explained that winter's reduced sunlight can affect melatonin and serotonin levels, potentially leading to increased sleepiness and lower mood. Melatonin regulates sleep cycles, while serotonin is linked to mood and emotions.
Israel's official national time is designated UTC (INPL), measured against Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Israel Standard Time is UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 in summer. This national time is determined and maintained by the National Laboratory of Physics within the Ministry of Economy. This lab uses a specialized system to compare Israel's time measurements with those from other national laboratories worldwide, ensuring accuracy for civilian and commercial uses like broadcasting, telecommunications, and computing. The laboratory houses three cesium atomic clocks, crucial for precise timekeeping and maintaining reliable national time standards.
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