Time zones can be confusing, especially when you factor in the daylight savings changes and the areas that do not acknowledges those changes. That being said, there are numerous forms of abbreviations in regards to time in the United States. It is crucial to understand what time zone a place belongs to and how that time does or does not change. One good example is the Pacific Time Zone. So, what’s the difference between PT, PDT, and PST?
Generally speaking, PT represents Pacific Time in a way that generally references to a region’s time through out the year. This abbreviation, PT, ignores the very thing that separates PDT and PST: changes due to daylight savings. Therefore, PDT, or Pacific Daylight Time, relates to the time when an area is observing Daylight Savings. This means, during the warmer and lighter months, areas observing PST are advanced by an hour. Areas that do not observe PST maintain the same clock year-round.
Opposite to PDT is therefore PST, or Pacific Standard Time. While PDT is located at UTC-7, PST is fixed to UTC-8 and does not undergo the dramatic time change that is common under the former timing system. During the summer months, PST areas maintain the same time across the board. It is for these reasons that PT may be considered a PDT standard at some points and a PST standard at others. The time solely depends on regional or governmental choices. Before traveling, be sure to verify your future time zone.
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