The event drew an estimated 500,000 people to the river’s edge and attracted an at-home television audience of more than 400,000 across Queensland via Channel Nine’s coverage.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Knepp said there were no signs of any wet weather developing around Brisbane at 6pm, meaning those who lined the Brisbane River for the Sunsuper Riverfire climax should not have the occasion dampened by rain or storms.

"The worst of the storms were to the north and south of Brisbane," he said.

"Brisbane only had a little bit of rain and a few rumbles of thunder and lightning.

"There were reports of hail in Narangba, Highvale and Coomera, but we didn't see any damaging winds or heavy rain today."

The forecast had been very much doom and gloom for the majority of Saturday, with BoM saying large hailstones and damaging winds were "likely" for much of the south-east corner.

A general severe storm warning had been in place until about 5.30pm for the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich, Beenleigh, Beaudesert, Jimboomba, Mount Tamborine, Redcliffe and Springbrook.

A more specific warning had also been in place for parts of the Moreton Bay region after a severe storm cell hit the Moreton Bay region with hail the size of a 20¢ piece reported in Narangba.

BoM said earlier on Saturday afternoon that there was "a reasonably good chance" Brisbane city would be affected by the wet and potentially wild weather.

"There is the potential for severe storms," BoM meteorologist Nicholas Shera said.

"Large hail and damaging winds, in excess of 90 kilometres per hour, are possible.

"There is always a chance it will miss the city, but at this stage, there is a reasonably good chance the city will be affected.

"Storms have already formed to the south-east of Stanthorpe and more storms are likely to develop over the Great Dividing Range and move north-east towards Brisbane."

Showers were forecast in Brisbane on Sunday, as the unstable conditions move north. There was a high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon, according to Mr Shera.

All Riverfire train services were due to run on Saturday, despite an increase in the number of train crews not turning up to their shifts during the past few days.

The Fair Work Commission ruled on Friday night that the Rail Tram & Bus Union and its delegates had organised for workers to participate in "unprotected industrial action" in recent days and ordered the union not to organise for more crews to take days off at very short notice.

Riverfire attracts a crowd almost four times the size of the one seen at the New Year's Eve fireworks display, according to figures from the Queensland Police Service.

An estimated 125,000 gather in the heart of Brisbane to see in the new year, but about 500,000 are drawn to the banks of the Brisbane River for Riverfire, which marks the end of the annual Brisbane Festival.

Police Riverfire Commander Superintendent Virginia Nelson said Riverfire organisers had contingencies in place for wet weather.

She also urged those planning on coming into the city for Riverfire should allow extra time to pass through the various security measures.

"We are well versed in planning and preparing for major events, and Riverfire is no exception," she said.

"We will have extra police on patrol throughout the city, South Bank, Kangaroo Point and other vantage points across Brisbane.

"I am urging everyone coming into the city to allow extra travel time, remembering that major road and bridge closures will come into effect from Saturday afternoon.

"Everyone heading to Southbank should be aware that it will be fenced off and drinking alcohol there is not permitted.

"Security will be conducting random bag checks – no sharp objects, glass or opened bottles or cans will be permitted inside the parklands.

"Residents and visitors should never, under any circumstances, leave bags unattended in a public place."

The Brisbane skyline will come alive with explosions of colour as Riverfire marks the end of Brisbane Festival and half a million people are expected to line the banks of the Brisbane River.

From 2.45pm on the day, festival-goers can enjoy aerial performances from the Australian Defence Force including flypasts by the RAAF’s EA-18G Growler fast jets and C-17A Globemaster.

Crowd-favourite Roulettes will thrill crowds with their breath-taking close formation aerobatics, passing over the Brisbane River at speeds of up to 550km/h.

Scheduled flyovers and aerobatic display times:

The main event starts at 7.05pm with 11 tonnes of fireworks to be fired from six barges on the Brisbane River, 10 CBD high-rises, the Goodwill Bridge as well as the Story Bridge.

Spectators will be treated to a 20-minute performance, choreographed to a specially mixed playlist, inspired this year by sci-fi and superheroes.

Vantage points are all over Brisbane's CBD and surrounding suburbs, with recommended spots including:

Suburban locations that offer a wide-angle view of the display include:

There will be road, bridge and river closures affecting Brisbane City, South Brisbane, Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley areas.

The major road closures include:

- with Elisabeth Silvester