London and Houston are two major cities located in different parts of the world. London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, while Houston is the largest city in Texas, USA.
Due to their geographical location, there is a significant time difference between these two cities. In this article, we will explore how many hours ahead London is than Houston and explain why this time difference exists.
Time Zones
Time zones are used to standardize time across the world. There are 24 different time zones that span the globe, with each one separated by approximately 15 degrees of longitude. The main purpose of time zones is to allow people to synchronize their activities with others in different parts of the world.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is a time zone that is often used as a reference point for other time zones. GMT was established in 1884 at an international conference held in Washington DC. It was based on the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which was considered to be the prime meridian or zero degrees longitude.
Central Standard Time (CST)
Central Standard Time (CST) is a time zone used in North America that covers several states including Texas. It is six hours behind GMT and is based on the 90th meridian west of Greenwich.
How Many Hours Ahead Is London Than Houston?
London is located in the GMT time zone, while Houston falls under the CST time zone. This means that there is a significant time difference between these two cities.
London is six hours ahead of Houston. This means that when it’s noon in Houston, it’s already 6 pm in London. If you’re planning to call someone or schedule a meeting with someone living in either city, it’s important to consider this time difference and plan accordingly.
Why Does This Time Difference Exist?
The time difference between London and Houston exists because they are in different time zones. Time zones were established to help standardize time across the globe, but they were also created to minimize confusion in communication and transportation.
Before the establishment of time zones, each city would set its own time based on the position of the sun. This meant that there could be significant differences in time between two cities that were located relatively close to each other.
Daylight Saving Time
Another factor that contributes to the time difference between London and Houston is Daylight Saving Time (DST). DST is a practice used in some parts of the world where clocks are advanced by one hour during the summer months. This is done to make better use of natural daylight and conserve energy.
Both London and Houston observe DST, but they do so on different dates. In London, DST begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. In Houston, DST begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
This means that during certain periods of the year, the time difference between these two cities can be five hours instead of six hours.
Conclusion
In conclusion, London is six hours ahead of Houston due to their location in different time zones. It’s important to consider this time difference when communicating or scheduling activities with people living in either city. The establishment of time zones has helped standardize time across the globe and minimize confusion, ensuring that we can all stay connected regardless of our geographic location.