Time zone
WGST
West Greenland Standard Time
West Greenland Standard Time (WGST) is how Greenland keeps clocks aligned with the long summer days and dark winter skies of the island’s west coast. Nuuk and the surrounding communities jump forward an hour in spring to squeeze daylight into busy schedules and fall back when the nights grow longer.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Current offset
UTC-01:00
Daylight · -01
Daylight saving
Active
Reverts 24 Oct 2026
IANA zones
0
None observe daylight saving
DST offset
—
No summer variant
About WGST
A fixed, year-round offset.
West Greenland Standard Time (WGST) is how Greenland keeps clocks aligned with the long summer days and dark winter skies of the island’s west coast. Nuuk and the surrounding communities jump forward an hour in spring to squeeze daylight into busy schedules and fall back when the nights grow longer.
Same offset · UTC-01:00
Other zones at UTC-01:00 right now.
These named zones share WGST's offset today. When daylight saving rules differ, they drift apart for part of the year.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about WGST, daylight saving, and how to handle it in software. Can't find what you need? Email [email protected].
- Which places use WGST?
- WGST is used in Greenland’s Atlantic-side settlements, with Nuuk as the representative zone for the timekeeping rules.
- Is it WGST or something else on clocks?
- Locals usually write “-01” on schedules instead of spelling out “WGST” because the clocks are always one hour ahead of the official winter reference.
- When do the clocks go forward?
- Every year around late March Nuuk jumps ahead as winter darkness retreats and daily life shifts toward longer daylight routines.
- When do the clocks go back?
- In late October, just before the polar night sets in, clocks shift back to match the shrinking daylight again.
- Does everyone on the island share the same time?
- Most of Greenland’s populated west coast runs on this rule set; other parts of the island may follow different local practices.
- What is special about living with WGST?
- Communities lean heavily on the daylight boost in summer to balance work, school, and festivals under the midnight sun.
- Do airplanes and ferries adjust for WGST?
- Transport timetables align with the local clock, so even as days grow short, cross-coast schedules stay straightforward.
- Does WGST ever change its rules?
- Occasionally, officials adjust the exact dates, but Nuuk remains the model for the region’s clock habits.
- Is there daylight saving outside Greenland?
- Few regions move their clocks exactly as Greenland does, which makes WGST stand out among global time coordination efforts.
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