And why do they say it will wreck havoc on IT systems?
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The Earth’s rotation isn’t as constant as atomic clocks are so the time sometimes needs correcting to keep it in step. Usually the rotation is slowing down mostly due to the tidal effects of the Moon so a leap second needs to be added to UTC to make the by that match with the heavens. Lest year, however, was short so they need to take one away.
Just the same as when summer time ends and the clicks go back an hour and 2 AM becomes 1 AM for the second time that night, removing a second will mean that there are two times a second apart when the clock shows the same digits. Its a very unusual, if not unique, situation and if systems aren’t prepared for that, unforseen side effects could occur.
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