Which mechanism causes increased precipitation in the southwestern United States during an El Niño event?

💡 Explanation

During El Niño, a shift in the atmospheric pressure gradient occurs because the Walker Circulation weakens, causing rising air and increased storm activity in the southwestern US leading to enhanced precipitation. Therefore, a shift in atmospheric pressure gradients causes increased precipitation, rather than thermocline deepening, trade wind intensification, or increased upwelling, which have opposite effects.

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