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THE delighted shrieks of pupils on their lunch break greeted the snowflakes that whirled over Killarney's streets in the past half hour as winter tightens it grip.

And as the snow showers intermittently tumble down, Met Eireann has issued a status yellow warning for Munster, and motorists would be well advised to take care in the icy conditions forecast.

The very cold, wintry weather will continue until Friday night. Showers of hail, sleet and snow will occur, with some accumulations to lower levels, but especially over high ground.

The wintry showers will become widespread later this afternoon and turn increasingly to snow, even at low-levels. Some of the showers will be heavy and thundery, according to the national weather forecasting service. Widespread sleet and snow showers are expected this evening with snow accumulating in many areas and significant falls of snow possible on high ground.

It will be bitterly cold with maximum temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees with fresh or strong west or northwesterly winds.

Further snow showers are expected for a time tonight, some heavy and possibly thundery, with further accumulations expected. But drier, clearer weather should develop later on in the night with the showers become increasingly isolated. Temperatures will be around freezing or a little below all night, in a fresh northwest wind.

Friday will be cold and blustery, with bright spells and scattered showers. Some of the showers will be wintry, especially in the morning.