What occurs when the pressure gradient in Walker circulation intensifies?

The correct interpretation of what happens when the pressure gradient in Walker circulation intensifies is that it triggers El Niño events. Walker circulation is a large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern that exists in the equatorial Pacific. Under normal conditions, there is a pressure difference between the eastern and western parts of the Pacific Ocean, with lower pressure in the west and higher pressure in the east.

However, when the pressure gradient intensifies, it allows for an increased updraft of warm air over the western Pacific. This leads to a depletion of the cold water in the eastern Pacific, causing sea surface temperatures to rise significantly. This change in temperature distribution can disrupt normal weather patterns, indicative of an El Niño event. During El Niño, the warmer waters influence global weather systems, often leading to enhanced rainfall in some regions, and drought conditions in others.

The other options describe different phenomena. La Niña events typically occur when the pressure gradient strengthens, leading to cooler sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific. Stable climate conditions are generally associated with a balance in Walker circulation rather than an intensified gradient. Windless conditions are not a direct consequence of changes in the pressure gradient and typically arise from high-pressure systems or other specific weather situations. Thus, the intensification of the pressure gradient is most