Which mechanism amplifies atmospheric subsidence during an El Niño event in the eastern Pacific?

💡 Explanation

When El Niño occurs, the eastern Pacific experiences reduced upwelling and warmer sea surface temperatures, decreasing low-level cloud cover, so increased radiative cooling from cloud reduction enhances atmospheric subsidence due to energy loss. Therefore increased radiative cooling results, rather than latent heat flux, cold air advection, or instability reduction, each requiring different atmospheric processes.

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