Starting this Sunday, March 9, 2025, some municipalities along the northern border of Mexico will observe the seasonal time change, which involves moving clocks forward by one hour. This adjustment is necessary to align activities with the neighboring United States, thereby enhancing economic and labor synchronization. The shift will take effect early on Sunday at 2:00 AM, when clocks will jump to 3:00 AM.
Specifically, the only municipality in Nuevo León affected by this change is Anáhuac, which lies close to the U.S. border. The seasonal time change is also being implemented across several municipalities in five northern states: Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo León.
Residents of the affected municipalities are urged to adjust their clocks one hour earlier this Saturday night, March 8, before heading to bed to avoid any confusion on the day of the change. The following list details which areas will be implementing the time change:
- Baja California: Tijuana, Rosarito, Tecate, Ensenada, and Mexicali
- Chihuahua: Coyame del Sotol, Manuel Benavides, Janos, Ascensión, Juárez, Praxedis G. Guerrero, and Guadalupe
- Coahuila: Acuña, Allende, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jiménez, Morelos, Nava, Ocampo, Piedras Negras, Villa Unión, and Zaragoza
- Tamaulipas: Nuevo Laredo, Guerrero, Mier, Miguel Alemán, Camargo, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Reynosa, Río Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and Matamoros
- Nuevo León: Anáhuac
This time change will remain effective until Sunday, November 2, 2025, when clocks will fall back one hour again.
The decision to keep using seasonal time for these northern municipalities stems from the Law of Time Zones established by the Mexican government, which eliminated daylight saving time across most of the country, except for areas closely linked to U.S. border activities. This regulation ensures efficient operation for commerce and services, avoiding discrepancies when exchanging goods and services with the United States.
Experts note both the benefits and challenges associated with the time change. Advocates of the shift argue it facilitates economic interactions by synchronizing with U.S. business hours, improving trade and communication across the border. They suggest utilizing natural daylight effectively can lead to reduced energy consumption and greater productivity.
Some local authorities remind residents to be proactive about changing their clocks. While digital devices such as smartphones and computers typically adjust automatically, manual clocks, like watches and wall clocks, will need individual attention. This is particularly important to prevent confusion on the day of the switch.
Nevertheless, there are concerns about the health impacts of changing the clock. According to health experts, such transitions can disrupt sleep patterns and may have adverse effects on overall well-being. They recommend adopting permanent standard times to avoid the biannual adjustments, which, according to professor James Rowley of Rush University, can interfere with the body's natural circadian rhythms.
“The permanent standard time would basically mean we are on what is, I suppose, biologically the correct time all year long,” Rowley noted during an interview, stressing the importance of maintaining regular biological cycles.
For now, citizens living in the municipalities affected by the upcoming change should prepare for the adjustment. It is beneficial to schedule activities considering the new timing and to anticipate potential shifts in daily routines.
There’s no denying the value of this time change for northern Mexican states, where synchronizing with U.S. time is seen as economically advantageous. This timely adjustment also emphasizes the unique relationship these border municipalities maintain with their American counterparts.
Overall, as the time change approaches, anticipation builds for its impact on commerce, daily routines, and the potential health effects on the communities involved. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepare adequately as they adjust their clocks and activities accordingly.