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Set your alarm: The clocks are going back

Getty Images A blue, traditional analogue alarm clock with its minute hand at 10 and its hour hand at two. It is placed in front of a dark background with red and orange leaves surrounding it.Getty Images
At 02:00 BST on 27 October clocks will go back by one hour

As leaves continue to fall and the air grows crisper, Northern Ireland is set to transition into the heart of autumn as the clocks change this weekend.

At 02:00 BST on 27 October clocks will go back by one hour, providing an extra hour in bed for many.

However, it also signals the steady approach of shorter days and longer nights until the winter solstice on 21 December.

The winter solstice is commonly known as the shortest day of the year, a date marking the 24-hour period with the fewest daylight hours.

BBC Weather Watcher Paul Williams A tree from underneath looking upwards. The trunk is brown and has cracks along it, the branches are a darker brown and the leaves have started to turn bright orange. BBC Weather Watcher Paul Williams

The clock change is rooted in a century-old practice designed to make better use of daylight hours by moving clocks forward by one hour during the summer months.

The reverse happens in autumn, with a return to GMT, making it brighter in the mornings but with sunset coming earlier in the evenings.

However, while the promise of an extra hour in bed sounds appealing, the change can still disrupt sleep patterns for many.

In terms of weather, autumn is already making its presence felt across the island.

The typical weather for this time of year across Ireland features cooler temperatures, with highs averaging between 10C and 14C.

Rain showers are frequent, and the winds can pick up significantly, especially along the coasts.

A pile of red leaves on the side of a road. A green hedge is in the background along with a discarded piece of fence in a blue colour.

As we move deeper into the season, October often brings more overcast skies and the possibility of frosty mornings, as well as the occasional storm system sweeping in from the Atlantic.

The shift in clocks may provide a little more morning light, but early sunsets will become the norm, making the evenings feel longer and encouraging cosy nights indoors.

With autumn in full swing, it’s a time to prepare for the darker, colder months ahead.

Whether it’s bundling up for brisk walks in the countryside or settling in with a warm drink as the rain beats against the window, the clock change is a reminder that winter is just around the corner.

This story was updated on 1 Nov 2024.