PS. IO540, suggested getting an IMC is the answer to all your points. Well it doesn’t stop you having to make good decisions, but it will help if you feel more comfortable in “our” weather if you find actual =/= forecast.
Good decision.
I just wanted to reiterate the point that whilst an IMC would have helped on this occasion, whether IMC or IR good decisions still have to be made, they are just different! Neither IMC or IR is the complete panacea - only stay on the ground works.