There’s some improvement in the drought conditions facing Western Massachusetts, according to the latest report from the US Drought Monitor. But there’s still a ways to go before things return to normal.

Extreme drought conditions have lessened some in parts of Hampshire and Franklin counties. Still, most of western Massachusetts is still in the throes of a severe drought.

Deborah Bathke of the National Drought Mitigation Center said the area will feel the effects of below-average precipitation for some time to come.

“In the case of Massachusetts, you have had some recent rains and some good recent rains, [but] there’s still some of those longer-term impacts: issues with stream flows, vegetation, ground water,” Bathke said.

North-central and Northeastern Massachusetts continue to be the hardest hit, while nearly all of New England is experiencing a drought of some degree.