Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) 1/7/12 by Deb, McCormicks's Mill VA - ID request. Deb and Ralph, with Peter and Cathy, find this at 59° in January.

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/eastern_garter_snake.htm
These folks tell me that Garter Snakes are the first snakes to appear in Spring and have even been seen on snow.
They don't lay eggs but give birth to live young 5-9" long.
update 5/15/2015: image cropped to highlight the snake more