Understanding Time Zones can be quite a puzzle, especially if you plan to visit or move to Arkansas. Located in the United States, this state follows the Central Time Zone with no exceptions across all counties and cities.
Our blog post will explain everything you need about the Arkansas time zone – from current timing and legislation updates to daylight saving rules. Ready for enlightenment? Keep reading!
Content Highlights
- Arkansas follows the Central Time Zone throughout the year, with no exceptions across all counties and cities.
- Daylight Saving Time is observed in Arkansas, with clocks being adjusted forward by one hour in the spring and back by one hour in the fall.
- A bill is being discussed to make daylight saving time permanent in Arkansas, eliminating the need for clock changes. However, this change would require surrounding states to adopt permanent daylight saving time.
Arkansas Time Zone Details
Arkansas is in the Central Time Zone (CT), 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). During Daylight Saving Time (DST), which runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, Arkansas is in the Central Daylight Time Zone (CDT), 5 hours behind UTC.
Here is a table of the major cities in Arkansas and their corresponding time zones:
| City | Time Zone |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | CT/CDT |
| Fort Smith | CT/CDT |
| Fayetteville | CT/CDT |
| Springdale | CT/CDT |
| Jonesboro | CT/CDT |
| Pine Bluff | CT/CDT |
| Rogers | CT/CDT |
| Bentonville | CT/CDT |
| Hot Springs | CT/CDT |
| Eureka Springs | CT/CDT |
Table: Major Cities in Arkansas and their Corresponding Time Zones
Current Time Zone Being Used in Arkansas (Central Time Zone)
Arkansas uses the Central Time Zone. This zone is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in standard time. When Daylight Saving Time starts, it becomes seven hours behind UTC.
Though all of Arkansas runs on this clock now, there was a time they didn’t use it at all! Today, if you need to compare, New York is an hour ahead of Arkansas.
Generalized Time Zone in Arkansas
Arkansas follows the Central Time Zone for all things. This time zone is in use all year round. In every part of Arkansas, you will find the same time. That means it’s the same hour in Paris, Logan County, as in Little Rock, or any other city in Arkansas! The Central Time Zone makes life easier there.
It helps with work, school schedules, and when TV shows come on! Everyone using the same clock is a big help to everyone who lives or visits Arkansas.
Time Zone Not Currently Being Observed in Arkansas
Arkansas uses Mountain Standard Time all year. Daylight saving time is not in use now. But, the state will move to this time zone after the next clock change. Many states are thinking about laws for daylight saving time in 2024.
Arkansas is one of them. Many laws on this topic are being thought about by at least 29 states right now. This count includes Arkansas.
Read Also The Dallas Time Zone: A Must-Know for Travelers
Arkansas Time Zone News and Updates
The blog will provide information about the current local time in Arkansas and details about Daylight Saving Time.
Current Local Time in Arkansas
The current local time in Arkansas can be found in this article. It is approximately 74 minutes ahead of apparent solar time. This means that if you look at the Sun, it will appear about an hour and 14 minutes earlier than your clock.
So, make sure to adjust your schedule accordingly! The National Weather Service (NWS) in Little Rock, Arkansas, provides watches and warnings for severe weather. They report on local storm activity using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a standardized global time system.
Stay updated with the current local time and keep an eye on any weather alerts from NWS to stay safe in Arkansas!
Daylight Saving Time in Arkansas
Arkansas has been observing Daylight Saving Time since 1970. This means the clocks are adjusted forward by one hour in the spring and then back by one hour in the fall. However, a bill is currently being discussed to make daylight saving time permanent in Arkansas.
If this bill passes, it would mean that there would no longer be any clock changes throughout the year. Efforts are also being made for surrounding states to adopt daylight saving time as well, as it is required for the bill to pass.
So, there could be some changes to how we handle time in Arkansas.
Understanding Arkansas Time Zone Details
This section will delve into the abbreviations and definitions used in the Arkansas time zone and the UTC – GMT offset and start and end dates of daylight saving time.
Abbreviations and Definitions
The time zone in Arkansas is abbreviated as “AR.”
UTC – GMT Offset
The UTC-GMT offset in Arkansas is -6 hours. This means that Arkansas is 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during Standard Time. When Daylight Saving Time is observed, the offset changes to -5 hours.
The offset from UTC indicates the difference in time between a specific location and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which serves as a global time standard. In Arkansas, this offset remains constant at -6 hours throughout most of the year, except during Daylight Saving Time when it becomes -5 hours.
Read More: Stay Ahead with our Latest Guide to UTC Time Zone
Information About Arkansas Time Zone
Find out more about the official time zone of Arkansas, schedule phone calls to other states and countries, and frequently ask questions about the Arkansas time zone. Explore the details here.
Official Time Zone of Arkansas
Arkansas is officially located in the Central Time Zone, also known as CST. This means that the time in Arkansas follows Central Standard Time. The time zone offset for Arkansas is UTC -6, meaning it is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
During Daylight Saving Time, the time zone changes to UTC -5, giving residents an extra hour of evening daylight. The next time change in Arkansas will occur on November 5, 2024, when the state will switch back to Central Standard Time.
Schedule a Phone Call from Arkansas to Other States/Countries
To schedule a phone call from Arkansas to other states or countries, follow these simple steps:
- Determine the time difference: Before scheduling your call, determine the time difference between Arkansas and the location you want to call. This will help you plan a suitable time for both parties.
- Consider daylight saving time: Consider whether daylight saving time is in effect in Arkansas and the destination. This may affect the time difference and should be considered when scheduling your call.
- Use online tools: Some various online tools and websites can help you calculate the best time to make your call. These tools take into account different time zones and daylight saving time changes.
- Schedule based on convenience: Once you know the time difference, choose a convenient time for both parties to schedule the phone call. Consider factors such as work schedules, availability, and any other commitments.
- Adjust for international calls: If you’re calling internationally, consider any additional factors like country-specific holidays or business hours that may impact scheduling your call.
Arkansas Time Zone Legislation and Bill Updates
The blog will provide information on recent Arkansas time zone legislation and bill updates.
Arkansas Time Zone News and Legislation
Arkansas has been in the news recently regarding its time zone and proposed legislation. In December 2022, State Rep. Johnny Rye introduced a bill to adopt year-round daylight saving time (DST) in Arkansas.
However, for the bill to pass, all surrounding states must adopt DST. Lawmakers believe that this DST bill could receive bipartisan support. It’s worth noting that in 2020, Rep.
Johnny Rye introduced a similar bill to allow Arkansas to observe DST year-round. Currently, at least 29 states are considering or have considered legislation related to DST in 2024.
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Stance on Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent
Lawmakers in Arkansas have been pushing for the permanent adoption of Daylight Saving Time. State Representative Johnny Rye of Trumann proposed a bill in December 2022 to make this change.
This proposal aligns with efforts across the country, as over 450 bills and resolutions have been considered by state legislatures to establish year-round daylight saving time.
However, it’s important to note that for Arkansas to pass this bill, every state surrounding Arkansas must also adopt daylight saving time permanently. Efforts are underway to eliminate the clock changes associated with daylight saving time.
Comparison to Other US States
Arkansas is not the only state that uses the Central Time Zone, as several other states in the Midwest and South also follow this time zone.
Overview of Time Zones in Other US States
The United States stretches across a vast expanse, resulting in multiple time zones. These time zones are essential to the country’s operations, impacting everything from TV schedules to business hours. The time zone map of America is divided into six zones, each with its GMT/UTC offset.
| Time Zone | States | GMT/UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Time Zone | Alaska | GMT-9 |
| Central Time Zone | Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and parts of Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee | GMT-6 |
| Eastern Time Zone | Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and parts of Florida | GMT-5 |
| Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone | Hawaii | GMT-10 |
| Mountain Time Zone | Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas | GMT-7 |
| Pacific Time Zone | California, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, and parts of Idaho | GMT-8 |
Table: Various Time Zones in the US States
Also Read: Mastering GMT Time Zone
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here, we answered some commonly asked questions about the Arkansas time zone. Check below if you have any queries.
1. What time zone is Arkansas in?
Arkansas is located in the Central Time Zone.
2. Does Arkansas observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, Arkansas observes Daylight Saving Time. Clocks are set forward by one hour in the spring and back by one hour in the fall.
3. Is there a time difference between different areas of Arkansas?
No, the entire state of Arkansas follows the same time zone and observes Daylight Saving Time uniformly.
4. Are there any recent updates or changes to Arkansas’s time zone?
As of now, there have been no recent updates or changes to Arkansas’s time zone. It continues to follow Central Standard Time and observe Daylight Saving Time as per federal regulations.
