AgWeatherNet officials at Washington State University suspect thieves have recently stolen two weather stations worth about $10,000 each. (Courtesy Washington State University AgWeatherNet)
AgWeatherNet officials at Washington State University suspect thieves have recently stolen two weather stations worth about $10,000 each. (Courtesy Washington State University AgWeatherNet)

Officials at AgWeatherNet are asking people who live near their weather stations to keep their eyes peeled for possible thieves.

Two of the Washington State University agricultural weather stations, each worth about $10,000, were stolen in recent days, according to an announcement to users from AgWeatherNet, based in Prosser. They were on Fir Island, which last logged data activity at 12:05 a.m. Dec. 6; and in Arlington, which last checked in at 9:20 p.m. Dec. 7.

Law enforcement authorities are investigating, said Dave Brown, AgWeatherNet director, in an email to network users today. While they do, he asks all weather station hosts and their neighbors be on the lookout.

“It seems likely that additional stations will be targeted,” he said.

—by Ross Courtney