Drought conditions in California improved after a series of atmospheric river-fueled rain storms swept through the state. However, more than half of the state was “abnormally dry” as of Thursday, Feb. 20, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. As of Thursday, areas of “moderate drought” could be found in Central California, including parts of Fresno, Kern, Madera and Merced counties, the Drought Monitor said, as well as San Bernardino County in Southern California. On the Central Coast, parts of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties were experiencing severe drought conditions, the federal agency said. So were areas of Inyo, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties further south. “Extreme drought” conditions could be found in Imperial, Riverside and San Diego counties, the federal agency said. Here’s a look at drought conditions across California.

Other drought and water supply news across the West:

• Enterprise-Record (Chico, Calif.): Oroville Dam spillway begins releases
• The Gridley Herald (Calif.): Lake (Oroville’s) capacity at 82%
• USA Today: Water crisis in West still looms as Lakes Mead and Powell only 35% full
• KTAR (Phoenix, Ariz.): Phoenix water supply in good shape with reservoirs at 70%
• The Colorado Sun (Denver): February storms offer some relief from dry Colorado River conditions, but water outlook remains poor