Techniques disclosed for accurately predicting the occurrence of anomalous sensor readings within a sensor network and advantageously using these predictions to limit the amount of power used by relay nodes within the sensor network. Some examples analyze spatial and temporal characteristics of anomalous sensor readings to predict future occurrences. In these examples, the relay nodes operate in a reduced power mode for periods of time in which anomalous sensor readings are not predicted to occur. Also, in these examples, only relay nodes in a path between a sensor predicting an anomalous reading and a gateway of the sensor network operate in full power mode. This feature allows other relay nodes to remain in the reduced power mode even when an anomalous sensor reading is predicted elsewhere in the sensor network.