Below is an AI analysis of the storm temps from my backyard weather sensor in Rhoadesville VA. The sensor is next to the house and is on the east wall so might be influenced slightly warmer by 1 or 2 degrees particularly around 7-8 am
Overall Statistics (Jan 23–26)
Minimum Temperature: 11.1°F (Jan 24, 7:03:20 AM) – This was likely the coldest point during the storm's onset.
Maximum Temperature: 50.5°F (Jan 23, 2:00:12 PM) – Pre-storm warmth.
Average Temperature: 24.3°F across ~65 readings.
Median Temperature: 21.1°F.
Temperature Range: 39.4°F (from min to max).
Standard Deviation: 9.8°F – Indicates significant variability due to the storm's progression.
Trends and Analysis
The data captures the full arc of the weekend winter storm in central Virginia, which reports describe as one of the largest in years, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain starting Saturday evening (Jan 24) and continuing through Sunday (Jan 25).819111469a5dc9fa42
Pre-Storm (Jan 23 Afternoon–Evening): Temperatures started mild in the upper 40s–50s°F, typical for a January day in Virginia.124165 They dropped rapidly overnight (~2–3°F per hour) as cold air advection ahead of the storm arrived, reaching the mid-20s°F by midnight.
Storm Onset and Peak Cold (Jan 24): A sharp plunge continued into early morning, hitting the dataset's low of 11.1°F around dawn – consistent with Arctic air behind the front.8f6500 Daytime saw a brief rebound to 26.2°F mid-afternoon, possibly during lighter precipitation, before cooling again to teens°F overnight. This aligns with reports of the storm transitioning to sleet and heavy ice accumulation overnight.28612f
Storm Core and Recovery (Jan 25): Overnight lows dipped to 16.4°F (matching your earlier "worst" phase focus), with gradual warming through the day to 26.8°F by evening. The stable mid-20s°F overnight into Jan 26 suggests lingering cold but tapering precipitation.
Overall, temperatures dropped ~40°F from Jan 23 highs to Jan 24 lows over ~17 hours, a hallmark of this storm's intensity.84e3e7 No major anomalies in your sensor data; readings are consistent and align with regional forecasts (e.g., lows in the teens°F, highs in the 20s°F).400e06
Snow Accumulation Context
Your measurement of approximately 5 inches of dry, granular snow with a 1-inch crust is spot-on for Rhoadesville's location in central VA. Reports indicate 4–6 inches commonly, with some spots up to 10–14 inches from sleet/freezing rain adding density and crust.efd59f07c3967c110a The "crust" likely formed from freezing rain glazing over the snow, creating hazardous icy layers – a key warning in this event.6dced7457cac Nearby areas like Richmond saw 12–16 inches, so your 5 inches suggests lighter totals locally, perhaps due to elevation or storm track variations.
So the gun-grabbing begins in VA. For the most part will be among the most restrictive agenda in the nation, we really need the Supreme Court to actually rule on the second amendment soon, not just partial rulings but make it clear what the second amendment means.
### Anti-Gun Legislation Pre-Filed for the 2026 Virginia General Assembly Session
Based on recent pre-filings, the following bills have been identified as anti-gun or gun control measures, primarily imposing new restrictions, bans, taxes, or regulations on firearms, ammunition, suppressors, or related activities. These are drawn from tracking sources and official listings, focusing on bills that limit gun rights. I've categorized them for clarity, with bill numbers, patrons (where available, though not always specified in sources), titles, and brief summaries. Note that "anti-gun" here refers to bills viewed as restrictive by pro-gun groups like VCDL.
#### Bans on Specific Firearms, Accessories, or Manufacturing
- **HB40**: Manufacture, import, sale, transfer, or possession of plastic firearms and unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms prohibited; penalties. Prohibits undetectable plastic guns and requires serialization for frames/receivers and homemade firearms (no grandfathering for existing ones); penalties escalate from misdemeanors to felonies for repeats. Effective dates start January 1, 2027.
- **HB207**: Retail sales and use tax; firearm suppressor tax. Imposes a $500 tax on each retail sale of a firearm suppressor.
- **HB217**: Importation, sale, manufacture, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalties. Bans importation, sale, manufacture, purchase, or transfer of "assault firearms" (semi-automatic rifles/shotguns with certain features) and large-capacity magazines (over 10 rounds) made after July 1, 2026; also restricts access for those under 21.
#### Restrictions on Possession, Transfer, or Purchase
- **HB19**: Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm; assault and battery of a family or household member or intimate partner; penalties. Expands definitions to include intimate partners; prohibits firearm purchase/possession/transport for three years after a misdemeanor conviction for assault/battery against them (effective for convictions after July 1, 2026).
- **SB38**: Firearm transfers to another person from a prohibited person. Requires those under protective orders or with domestic violence convictions to transfer firearms only to non-cohabiting adults 21+; mandates court notifications.
- **HB93**: Firearm transfers to another person from a prohibited person. (Companion to SB38) Similar requirements for transfers from prohibited persons.
#### Permit and Reciprocity Changes
- **HB24**: Concealed handgun permits; reciprocity with other states. Limits recognition of out-of-state permits; requires review and potential revocation of reciprocity agreements by December 1, 2026; non-residents (except military) can't use out-of-state permits in Virginia after July 1, 2027.
- **SB115**: Concealed handgun permits; reciprocity with other states. (Companion to HB24) Similar restrictions on permit reciprocity.
#### Location-Based or Storage Restrictions
- **HB110**: Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; civil penalty. Prohibits leaving a visible handgun in an unattended vehicle; $500 civil penalty and possible towing.
- **HB229**: Weapons; possession prohibited in a hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty. Bans firearms and certain knives in mental health/developmental service facilities (including emergency departments); Class 1 misdemeanor.
#### Industry Liability and Standards
- **HB21**: Firearm industry members; standards of responsible conduct; civil liability. Imposes standards on manufacturers/dealers to prevent misuse; allows civil lawsuits for violations, including by the Attorney General.
- **SB27**: Firearm industry members; standards of responsible conduct; civil liability. (Companion to HB21) Similar industry standards and liability provisions.
#### Other Potentially Restrictive Measures
- **SB109**: School board policies; parental notification; safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in household. Requires annual school notifications to parents about secure storage laws for firearms (and drugs), including statistics on risks; must be multilingual and on school websites.
These bills are pre-filed ahead of the session starting January 14, 2026. Not all may advance, and some have companions in the other chamber. For the most up-to-date status, check the official Virginia Legislative Information System (LIS).<grok:render card_id="3cf9f4" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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