The PIC in this case was asking for trouble setting off in conditions that were so obviously marginal considering his experience level. If the weather deteriorated to the extent that returning to the field placed him in danger he should never have taken off. Sounds like his handling of the incident was bad (probably panicked) to such an extent that his passenger refused to get airbourne again. As PIC it could all have been avoided had he done the sensible thing and left the AC in the hangar.
Aviatate
Navigate
Communicate
It's pretty basic stuff to be honest.
VFE.