Mountain Time Zone facts for kids

Mountain Standard Time (MST) is UTC−7 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) is UTC−6

The Mountain Time Zone is a special area where everyone sets their clocks to the same time. It's one of the main time zones in North America. This zone is usually seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). UTC is like the world's main clock.

When it's winter, this time zone is called Mountain Standard Time (MST). It means it's UTC−7. But in the summer, many places in this zone switch to Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). Then, it's only six hours behind UTC (UTC−6). In the United States and Canada, people often just call it Mountain Time (MT). This time zone is one hour ahead of the Pacific Time Zone. It is also one hour behind the Central Time Zone.

Where is the Mountain Time Zone?

The Mountain Time Zone covers a large area. It includes parts of three different countries. These countries are Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

In Canada

In Canada, the Mountain Time Zone includes all of Alberta. It also covers most of the Northwest Territories. A part of Nunavut, called the Kitikmeot Region, is also in this zone. You'll also find it in some parts of southeastern and northeastern British Columbia. The city of Lloydminster in Saskatchewan also uses Mountain Time.

In the United States

In the United States, several states are fully in the Mountain Time Zone. These are New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Montana. Other states have parts of them in this time zone. These include Idaho, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, and Nevada.

In Mexico

In Mexico, several states use the Mountain Time Zone. These states are Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Nayarit, Sinaloa, and Sonora.

Understanding Mountain Daylight Time

Daylight saving time is when clocks are moved forward by one hour. This usually happens in the spring. It gives people more daylight in the evening. For the Mountain Time Zone, this change happens from early April to late October. During this time, the zone becomes UTC−6.

Most places in the Mountain Time Zone follow daylight saving time. However, a few places do not change their clocks. For example, the entire state of Sonora in Mexico stays on standard time all year. Most of Arizona in the United States also stays on standard time. The only part of Arizona that observes daylight saving time is the Navajo Nation.

See also

In Spanish: Tiempo de la montaña para niños