SUMMER SOLSTICE (Late June)
Permanent Standard Time:
Sunrise: 5:10 AM | Sunset: 8:05 PM (We lose an hour of summer evening daylight)
Permanent DST (Current Summer):
Sunrise: 6:10 AM | Sunset: 9:05 PM
WINTER SOLSTICE (Late December)
Permanent Standard Time (Current Winter):
Sunrise: 7:50 AM | Sunset: 5:20 PM
Permanent DST:
Sunrise: 8:50 AM | Sunset: 6:20 PM (Pitch-black mornings, but twilight after 5 PM)
________________________________________
If Congress finally decides to "ditch the switch," the impact on central Kentucky (including Lexington and the surrounding Bluegrass region) would be dramatic. Because central Kentucky is sitting right on the westernmost edge of the Eastern Time Zone, we already experience some of the latest sunrises and sunsets in the zone.
Ending the twice-yearly clock change could go one of two ways: Permanent Standard Time (staying on winter time forever) or Permanent Daylight Saving Time (staying on summer time forever).
Here is exactly how daily life would shift in the Bluegrass under both scenarios.
Scenario A: Permanent Standard Time (Year-Round Winter Time)
If we permanently kept "Standard Time," we would never "spring forward" in March.
The Summer Solstice Reality (Late June):
Currently, the sun sets around 9:05 PM in central Kentucky on the longest days of the year.
Under permanent Standard Time, the sun would set at 8:05 PM.
Meanwhile, the sun would rise at a blinding 5:10 AM.
Daily Life Impact:
Evenings Cut Short: Say goodbye to late-evening outdoor activities. Youth soccer practices, twilight golf rounds, outdoor swim meets, and patio dining downtown would have their daylight cut short abruptly.
Wasted Morning Light: Unless you are up and training at 5:15 AM, a massive block of beautiful summer sunlight would be entirely wasted while the vast majority of the state is fast asleep.
Scenario B: Permanent Daylight Saving Time (Year-Round Summer Time)
If Congress made "Daylight Saving Time" permanent, we would never "fall back" in November.
The Winter Solstice Reality (Late December):
Currently, the winter sun rises around 7:50 AM and sets around 5:20 PM in central Kentucky.
Under permanent DST, the sun would not rise until 8:50 AM, while sunset would push back to 6:20 PM.
Daily Life Impact:
Pitch-Black Winter Mornings: This is the biggest drawback. Elementary and middle school kids would be standing at the bus stop or walking to school in complete, pitch-black darkness. The first period of the school day or the start of the workday would happen entirely before sunrise.
A Sliver of Evening Winter Hope: On the bright side, you wouldn't feel like the day is completely over when you leave the office. Pushing sunset to 6:20 PM means actually seeing a bit of twilight after a 5:00 PM workday ends, which many find a massive boost for winter mental health.
