Nevada, like Arizona, does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), and the reason is quite simple: the state is in a region where the long summer days can make the shift unnecessary, and the benefits of saving daylight don’t align with the lifestyle and natural rhythms of its residents.
Why Doesn’t Nevada Follow DST?
Climate and Daylight: Nevada, especially in the southern part of the state, enjoys long daylight hours during the summer. In places like Las Vegas, daylight lingers well into the evening. The state’s hot climate also means that daylight saving doesn’t provide a significant advantage. People tend to be more active in the cooler morning hours, and extending daylight into the evening doesn’t have as much impact on their daily routines.
Alignment with Arizona: Nevada shares its timezone with Arizona, which famously opts out of DST. The two states have similar reasoning: it’s just not necessary in regions where the sun sets later in the summer and daylight savings doesn’t substantially improve life. This also makes it easier for people living in Las Vegas and surrounding areas to communicate with Phoenix or other parts of Arizona without worrying about a time change.
The Benefits of Not Observing DST:
Consistency: Not shifting the clocks twice a year creates more consistency for businesses and personal schedules.
Energy Use: Some states believe that DST doesn’t actually save as much energy as it once did, so Nevada, along with Arizona, has opted out.
Health: The abrupt changes in sleep schedules during DST transitions can affect health and productivity, and Nevada’s decision to skip DST prevents this issue.
Nevada doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time because the state’s natural daylight patterns, in combination with its shared time zone with Arizona, make the change unnecessary. The result? A more consistent schedule year-round for residents.
SOURCES
[1] https://news3lv.com/news/local/nevadas-push-to-ditch-daylight-saving-time-hits-roadblock-after-missing-deadline
[2] https://economictimes.com/news/international/us/daylight-saving-time-why-did-two-us-states-not-change-the-time-heres-what-you-may-need-to-know/articleshow/104993234.cms
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Reno/comments/1k2dj4l/bill_to_end_daylight_saving_time_in_nevada_passes/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States
[5] https://fortune.com/article/daylight-savings-time-nevada-lock-clock-act-assembly-bill-81/
