Finland to transition to winter time amid health concerns

Finland is set to transition to winter time, moving clocks back by one hour at 4:00 AM. While the shift to winter time is generally easier for the body to adapt to than the spring transition, the practice of seasonal time changes continues to face scrutiny due to adverse health effects.

Research professor Timo Partonen has advocated for abandoning seasonal changes in favor of permanent winter time to protect public health. Studies indicate that the spring transition to daylight saving time can lead to increased risks of heart attacks and strokes, as well as higher accident rates.

Public sentiment in Finland remains largely opposed to the practice; a previous European Commission consultation showed that 95% of Finnish respondents favored ending the use of daylight saving time. Although the European Parliament voted in 2019 to end seasonal clock changes, the proposal remains pending with the EU Council.