Alaska Daylight Time

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about AKDT, daylight saving, and how to handle it in software. Can't find what you need? Email [email protected].

Which major cities use Alaska Daylight Time?

Anchorage, Juneau, Nome, Sitka, Metlakatla, and Yakutat all follow Alaska Daylight Time during the summer months.

When does Alaska switch back to standard time?

Alaska returns to Alaska Standard Time on the first Sunday in November, when clocks are set back one hour.

How does Alaska's daylight saving time compare to the Lower 48 states?

Alaska shifts at the same dates as most of the continental United States but its already extreme latitude makes the difference between summer and winter hours feel even more dramatic.

Is there anywhere in Alaska that does not observe daylight saving time?

No. All of Alaska observes daylight saving time. The western Aleutian Islands, including Adak, use Hawaii-Aleutian Time instead of Alaska Time, but they change their clocks too.

What time is it in Alaska during daylight saving time?

From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, Anchorage, Juneau, Nome, and the rest of mainland Alaska run on Alaska Daylight Time (UTC-08:00); the western Aleutian Islands use Hawaii-Aleutian Time instead.

Does Alaska use two different time zones?

A small part of the Aleutian Islands follows Hawaii-Aleutian Time, but the vast majority of Alaska uses Alaska Daylight Time in summer and Alaska Standard Time in winter.

Why does Alaska need daylight saving time at all?

The adjustment helps align work hours and school schedules with available daylight, though with very long summer days, the effect is less dramatic than in other states.