We explain that what is the difference between PST and PDT with table. The Pacific time zone is one of 25 available time zones that currently covers parts of the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico. Being this the standard time in those parts of the world, it is also called Pacific Standard Time (PST)
These places have their standard time calculated as Universal Time – 8 Hours. Universal time is also called Coordinated Universal Time, which is the successor to GMT.
PST is followed in a particular season and there is another time zone that is 7 hours behind universal time called PDT, this is followed in a certain period apart from PST.
PST and PDT follow one after another in a calendar year. PST exceeds the next calendar year while PDT is observed in the same year.
The difference between PST and PDT that is, PST is the standard time followed during November and mid-March, while PDT is followed from mid-March to November. In summary, the PST is tracked during the winter months and the PDT during the summer months of a calendar year. PDT is held one hour earlier than PST to observe longer days.
Comparison table between PST and PDT (in tabular form)
Comparison Parameter Pacific Standard Time Pacific Daylight Time
| Definition | Pacific Standard Time is the time followed during winter. It is followed in the countries of the United States, Canada and Mexico. | Pacific Summer Time is followed during the summer in the same places where PST is followed. |
| Time frame | PST is followed from the beginning of November to mid-March | PDT is followed from mid-March to early November |
| UTC difference | 8 hours behind UTC | 7 hours behind UTC |
| Time difference | It is standard time and it remains the same. | Time is kept one hour before PST. |
| Profits | Short winter days | Longer summer days and energy will be conserved. |
What is PST?
Pacific Standard Time is the time zone that is followed in some parts of Canada, the United States, and Mexico. It is the standard time that is followed during the winter season.
Ideally, the months in which they follow the PST are from the beginning of November of each year to the middle of March of the following year. In winter, the PST is 8 hours behind Universal Time.
It is observed that in winter Pacific Standard Time is used to reduce the day. There are places in the countries mentioned that completely follow the PST.
The shape of the Earth and the calculation of the meridian of 15 degrees of GMT also gave rise to different time zones, which can pass through the border of that state.
In Canada, only Yukon is completely under the Pacific time zone. Also, the Northwest Territories and British Columbia partially follow, while the other parts follow the Highlands.
In the United States of America, two states completely fall under Pacific Standard Time. They are California and Washington. As with parts of Canada, few states in the US are also divided between PST and Mountain Time Zone.
The states that have part-time PST in the US are Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon.
What is PDT?
Pacific Daylight Time is the time zone followed during the summer months in places where the PST is followed. It is followed again in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
PDT is the reverse of PST following the time zone. It starts from the middle of March of each year and goes beyond the beginning of November of the same year.
As can be seen, during the summer the PDT is followed to extend the day. Standard Time is calculated 7 hours behind GMT.
Standard Time is kept one hour before PST. This helps save energy during the day.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 passed by the US Government altered the PDT dates that were followed for many years. The policy establishes to change the time one hour in advance on the second Sunday of March of each year.
Subsequently, PDT is re-established to PST on the first Sunday in November. Previously, it was the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.
The new policy has extended the duration of daylight saving time in terms of months.
Main differences between PST and PDT
- The two time zones belong to the same locations, however main difference between PST and PDT that is, PST is followed during winter while PDT is followed during summer.
- Pacific Standard Time begins in early November of each year and continues through mid-March of the next year. Pacific Daylight Time begins in mid-March and runs through early November.
- PST is 8 hours behind Universal Time, while PDT is 7 hours behind Universal Time.
- PST is the established standard time, while PDT is kept one hour earlier than PST during the summer.
- PST offers shorter winter days for people, while PDT offers longer summer days.
Final Thought
The geographical dimensions of the Earth have given rise to time zones. Understanding the concept of time zones is not rocket science, but it seems impractical to follow the time difference for a few months. Let’s say 9 months of consistency on each side of the calendar over two years.
Of course, government policy should be followed, but the energy saving aspect is what many forums retaliate after the 2005 Energy Policy. If daylight is saved during the summer and energy is saved, then , What can happen during winter? use more power as it is winter and it gets dark quickly too. Furthermore, the policy was framed well and yet it has struck a balance.
