What is the Difference Between PDT and PST?

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The difference between PDT and PST lies in the time observed in the Pacific Time Zone during different seasons. The Pacific Time Zone covers parts of western Canada, the western United States, and western Mexico.

  • PDT (Pacific Daylight Time): This is the time observed during daylight saving time, which typically runs from mid-March to early November. PDT is 1 hour ahead of PST (Pacific Standard Time).
  • PST (Pacific Standard Time): This is the time observed during the winter months, usually from early November to mid-March the following year. PST is 8 hours behind Universal Time during winter.

In summary, PDT is followed during the summer months, while PST is followed during the winter months. Both PDT and PST are observed in the Pacific Time Zone, but they differ by 1 hour.

Comparative Table: PDT vs PST

Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) and Pacific Standard Time (PST) are time zones used in the Pacific Time Zone in North America. The main difference between PDT and PST is that PDT is observed during the summer months, while PST is observed during the winter months. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Feature PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) PST (Pacific Standard Time)
Abbreviation PDT PST
UTC Offset UTC - 7 hours UTC - 8 hours
Observance Summer months Winter months
Regions US states: Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, and California
Canadian provinces: Yukon and British Columbia (except Invermere, Golden, and Cranbrook)
Same as PDT, but also includes Baja California, Mexico

When daylight saving begins, clocks are set forward one hour to switch to PDT. Conversely, when daylight saving ends, clocks are set back one hour to switch to PST.