I will no longer plan in advance a flight at night. But have often changed my
plans to accept a night flight to stay out of weather.

most of my personal airplane war storys involve weather and/or reduced viz, so
they are the two key factors in my flight planning. reduced viz (Deer hunting
anyone?) because of a lack of light is easily remove in the planning phase.

Water, mountains, and http://www.lancair.net/pix/Mexico-05/12_G
represent a "greater time to respond to your distress".