Snow and ice must remain a concern for everyone even as the first breezes of spring teased us during the weekend.

Some of winter's finest has disappeared after last weekend's thaw, but the meltdown may cause other serious winter hassels -- problems that could be avoided with some forethought.

Snow must be removed from tricky areas. The build-up of ice and snow on roofs is still numbering in the inches. Homeowners and renters should get out and shovel the snow/ice/dirt combination to avoid an avalanche or flood. Residents should also pitch in by shoveling the areas around storm drains. Flooding will occur if melting snow has nowhere to go.

Walkers should protect themselves and voice concerns to businesses about maintaining sidewalks better. People must force business operators to clear more than just a single foot-wide lane for walkers to pass. And business should keep in mind that cold nights turn wet sidewalks into icy sidewalks. It might help to salt the walks before closing for the night -- it could also fend off potential lawsuits.

The State College Borough should be commended for efforts to finally remove snow clogging the streets. After getting over the initial shock of the first few big winter storms, the borough's snow removers were ready to go and did a good job at keeping the streets passable before the latest warm-up.

Although major arteries are clear of snow and slush, the borough must not forget the side streets -- some are overloaded with cemented snow and barely passable.

Unfortunately, the University's Office of Physical Plant did not recover so well from the January storms. OPP must re-evaluate its snow-removal efforts and make note of problems so changes can be made for any storms to come.

We may have basked in the warmth of the weekend, but all of us must be careful for the rest of the winter -- more ice and snow are only inevitable. We can even start practicing today.