Time Zones Currently Being Used in Texas
| Offset | Time Zone Abbreviation & Name | Example City | Current Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTC -7 | MST | Mountain Standard Time | El Paso | Tue, 4:54:16 am |
| UTC -6 | CST | Central Standard Time | Houston | Tue, 5:54:16 am |
Two Texas Time Zones
Texas spans two time zones. Most of the state observes Central Time (CT), while three counties in the West Texas region follow Mountain Time (MT): El Paso, Hudspeth, and parts of Culberson County.
Because of Daylight Saving Time (DST), areas observing CT switch between Central Standard Time (CST) and Central Daylight Time (CDT). The three counties in West Texas follow Mountain Standard Time (MST) as standard time and Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) when DST is in effect.
Mountain Time in National Park
Most of Culberson County, including its largest city Van Horn, uses Central Time. However, northwest in the county, in Guadalupe Mountains National Park—home of the famous mountain El Capitan—Mountain Time is informally used.
Generalized Time Zones in Texas
| Time Zone Abbreviation & Name | Offset | Current Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MT | Mountain Time | UTC -7:00 / -6:00 | Tue, 4:54:16 am |
| CT | Central Time | UTC -6:00 / -5:00 | Tue, 5:54:16 am |
Note: Local time in these time zones changes when Daylight Saving Time begins and ends.
Time Zones Not Currently Being Observed in Texas
| Offset | Time Zone Abbreviation & Name | Commences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC -6 | MDT | Mountain Daylight Time | Mar 10, 2024 |
| UTC -5 | CDT | Central Daylight Time | Mar 10, 2024 |
The above time zones are used during other parts of the year. They will become active again after the next clock change as Daylight Saving Time begins or ends.
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As a seasoned timekeeping enthusiast with a deep understanding of time zones, allow me to delve into the intricacies of the temporal landscape in Texas. My expertise in this area is backed by a comprehensive grasp of the concepts involved, including the nuances of Central Standard Time (CST), Central Daylight Time (CDT), Mountain Standard Time (MST), Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), and the effects of Daylight Saving Time (DST).
Let's start by dissecting the current time zones in use in Texas:
-
Mountain Standard Time (MST) - UTC -7:00
- Example City: El Paso
- Notable feature: El Paso, along with parts of Hudspeth and Culberson County, follows Mountain Standard Time.
-
Central Standard Time (CST) - UTC -6:00
- Example City: Houston
- Remarkable aspect: The majority of Texas, excluding specific western counties, observes Central Standard Time.
Texas, being a vast state, spans two time zones. Most of the state adheres to Central Time (CT), while a distinct region in West Texas, encompassing El Paso, Hudspeth, and parts of Culberson County, follows Mountain Time (MT). It's crucial to note that areas observing Central Time undergo a transition between Central Standard Time (CST) and Central Daylight Time (CDT) due to the observance of Daylight Saving Time.
Concerning Daylight Saving Time (DST), the three counties in West Texas that follow Mountain Time shift between Mountain Standard Time (MST) as standard time and Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) during DST.
Now, let's glance at the generalized time zones in Texas:
-
Mountain Time (MT) - UTC -7:00 / -6:00
- Current Time Example: Tue, 4:54:16 am
-
Central Time (CT) - UTC -6:00 / -5:00
- Current Time Example: Tue, 5:54:16 am
It's essential to keep in mind that local time in these time zones experiences adjustments during the commencement and conclusion of Daylight Saving Time.
Lastly, we have time zones not currently being observed in Texas but are relevant during other parts of the year:
-
Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) - UTC -6:00
- Commences: Mar 10, 2024
-
Central Daylight Time (CDT) - UTC -5:00
- Commences: Mar 10, 2024
These time zones will become active again after the next clock change, signaling the beginning or end of Daylight Saving Time. If you need further clarification or assistance, feel free to ask!
