Time Zone Clarity in Greenland
By Sara Kornberg and Mathew Gundersen. Published 2-Nov-2023
Most of Greenland did not put the clocks back by one hour on October 29, 2023; however, two locations did make the seasonal time change.
Greenland is changing its time zone to close the time zone gap with Europe. In the picture, you can see Greenland’s capital, Nuuk.
©iStockphoto.com/KimKimsenphot
In the 2022 autumn session, the government of Greenland, Naalakkersuisut, passed a law that allows the country's standard time to change from UTC-3 to UTC-2. The decision was made to close the time zone gap with Europe.
This meant most of Greenland did not put the clocks back by one hour on October 29, 2023, effectively moving them to a new time zone. The seasonal time change will recommence on March 30, 2024, when the clocks are moved forward for the start of Daylight Saving Time (UTC-1).
Ittoqqortoormiit Will Align With Rest of Greenland
The government recently clarified that the city of Ittoqqortoormiit will set the clocks back by one hour on October 29, 2023, from UTC to UTC-1.
Naalakkersuisut went on to say that on March 30, 2024, the moment when clocks are put forward for DST, the clock will not change in Ittoqqortoormiit, and the city will stay on UTC-1. This means the city will align with much of Greenland from that point on.
Time Zone Confusion
Earlier this year, many news organizations incorrectly reported that Greenland would remain permanently on Daylight Saving Time—this is not correct.
This year is the only time Greenland is not making the switch to winter time.
Meanwhile, Danmarkshavn in the northeast and the Thule Air Base in the northwest are exempt from the time change law.