Winter Time Is the Same as Standard Time
Winter time is often used to describe the time of year when a country is not on Daylight Saving Time (DST). Similarly, summer time is used to describe the DST-period.
Winter clock: The term winter time is used instead of standard time.
©iStockphoto.com/lior2
The term winter time frequently replaces standard time, which is the official name for the time of year when a country is not using Daylight Saving Time (DST).
DST Changes: Dates and local times
Mainly Used in Europe
The term winter time is commonly used to replace standard time throughout Europe. For example, when the European Union (EU) wants to scrap DST permanently, member states are asked to decide whether to remain on permanent summer time or permanent winter time.
The term winter time is commonly used in Scandinavia where it is known as “vintertid,” Germany refers to it as “Winterzeit,” and in the Netherlands, they call it “Wintertijd.”
Some countries that have historically used DST, including Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, also use winter time.
Mostly Countries with DST
Because DST is the practice of setting the clocks forward one hour from standard time (or winter time) during the summer months and back again in the winter months, it is natural to use the term winter time.
However, since more than 60% of the countries in the world use standard time all year, it may only make sense to countries that use, or have historically used, DST.