South Monoosnoc Hill

South Monoosnoc Hill is a summit in north-central Massachusetts, within the Notown Reservoir land unit and about 2 miles from Leominster. Its closeness to town makes it an easy objective to fit into a short outing. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ashburnham, which sits at roughly the same elevation as the summit, show a wide seasonal swing. July is the warmest month, with highs around 80°F and lows near 60°F, and June and August are only slightly cooler. September is mild, with highs around 71°F and the fewest wet days of the year at about nine. October cools to highs in the upper 50s. Winter is cold. January highs reach only about 31°F with lows near 14°F, and snow falls on roughly nine days that month. Snow days continue through March and can appear as late as April and as early as November. Late spring through early fall, May to October, brings snow-free conditions and comfortable temperatures. Rain is common year-round, with 9 to 13 wet days in any given month, so plan for wet weather whatever the season. Several other outings lie close by. The Monoosnoc Ridge Trail is 1.5 miles away and the Blue Route 1.8 miles. Leominster State Forest, about 3 miles off, offers climbing, as does Sholan Farms at 2.5 miles.