The Haines Index is frequently used to determine the potential for large fire growth (Werth and Ochoa 1993) where the lapse rate and dew point depression represent the stability and moisture of the environment. The pressure levels for the Haines Index calculation are adjusted based on elevation and chosen to negate the impact of diurnal surface temperature changes and surface inversions. The Haines Index is available as a gridded field in AWIPS and could be plotted with python or other tools.  

Below are suggested levels for the calculation of the Haines Index based on region, with the map on the right pointing out the regional designations. 

                                  Haines Index = Stability + Moisture

Millibar levels for Haines Index calculations may need to be adjusted in AWIPS, since default values are for Low regions of the U.S.  To change the Haines Index levels, follow these steps...

1. In D2D, open the Localization perspective
2. Go to D2D -> Derived Parameters -> definitions
3. Find the HI1.xml file (the stability term of the Haines Index equation). Copy the HI1.xml BASE file to SITE level (if you don't have a SITE level file already). 
   1. Change the Field levels as appropriate for your region...
      1. For Low regions, leave the default levels.
      2. For Middle regions, change the top and bottom values to 850MB and 700MB, respectively. 
      3. For High regions, change the top and bottom values to 700MB and 500MB, respectively. 
4. Find the HI4.xml file (the moisture term of the Haines Index equation).  Copy the HI4.xml BASE file to SITE level (if you don't have a SITE level file already).  
   1. Change the Field levels as appropriate for your region...
      1. For Low and Middle regions, leave the default level (850MB).
      2. For High regions, change the Field level to 700MB. 
5. Make sure to save the files after any editing.