When teaching practical weather decision making to new pilots I tell them to look at the weather from the general to the specific.
So looking at the area forecast ask yourself "what is making the weather" , then look at the forecast and try to figure out how the overall weather is creating the forecasted conditions and then look at the actuals and see if they agree with what the forecast predicted. If there is a significant difference with what the weather is doing now over what it is supposed to be doing according to the forecasts you need to find out why as the forecast may not reflect reality.
I advise new PPL's to start with the following limits with respect to the forecasted weather
Visibility: At least 5 miles
Ceiling: At least 500 feet above your planned altitude but not lower than 1500 feet above ground.
Rain: No more than showers. Steady rain for the forecast period of your flight will almost always mean conditions will deteriorate, sometimes suddenly. Never fly if snow or non isolated snow showers, are forecasted.
Thunderstorms: No thunderstorms forecasted
Wind: Max 20 knots on the ground, max 40 knots for winds aloft.