Encountering Bad Weather at Night

At night, it is more difficult to visually detect and stay clear of cloud, terrain and obstacles. Unlike on day VFR flights, weather phenomena are difficult to observe at night because of the low-light conditions. It is possible that pilots departing in weather conditions that legally permit night VFR flight would be unable to observe a deterioration in weather conditions and take the necessary measures before inadvertently entering IMC. The consequences of flying in reduced visibility are exacerbated when flying at night, in light conditions that do not permit sufficient warning for the pilot to see and avoid worsening weather conditions.

TC’s Flight Training Manual states the following:

During the day there is little possibility of flying into a cloud condition accidentally. On dark, overcast night, however, it can be done easily. Be alert to the possibility of the existence of cloud in the area. At night it may be detected or suspected by the otherwise unwarranted disappearance of lights on the ground and by a red or green glow adjacent to the position lights of the aircraft. 

Pilots can take steps to minimize the likelihood that they will inadvertently enter IMC when the actual conditions cannot be seen. To that effect, the CARs state that the pilot-in-command of an aircraft “must be familiar with the available weather information that is appropriate to the intended flight.” Obtain weather information for the flight-planned route on the internet and review it with a flight instructor before going on a flight.