RAPID CITY, S.D. – Drought conditions across western South Dakota improved slightly over the past week, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor.

The majority of southern Meade County, including Sturgis, saw D2, or severe drought conditions this past week. That follows some significant moisture realized around the area last weekend.

Far northwestern Lawrence County remained in D3, or extreme drought, while the remainder of the county saw severe to moderate drought conditions.

Central Pennington County has seen improvement, where D1, or moderate drought conditions exist. The eastern and western portion of the county were listed in D2, or severe drought.

Drought conditions in Custer County ranged from moderate to severe while all of Fall River County was listed in severe drought.

The worst drought conditions across western South Dakota were in southwestern Butte County, far western Lawrence County and northwestern Harding County.