Central Standard Time (CST) is a time zone that is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). It is primarily observed in the central part of the United States, including states like Texas, Illinois, and Missouri. CST is used during the fall and winter months, while Central Daylight Time (CDT) is observed in the spring and summer, shifting the clock forward by one hour. CST is part of the larger North American time zone system, which includes several other time zones such as Eastern Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time. The transition to and from daylight saving time typically occurs on the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November.