Final answer:
The minimum central pressure during a storm is the lowest atmospheric pressure at the storm's center, and it is crucial in defining the storm's intensity. A lower minimum central pressure is associated with stronger storms, leading to higher winds and more severe weather conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minimum central pressure refers to the lowest atmospheric pressure at the center of a storm, typically a hurricane or a cyclone. When discussing the phenomenon of storm intensity, the minimum central pressure is a crucial factor in defining the strength of the storm. Therefore, among the options provided, the answer is 2) minimum central pressure. In the context of a hurricane, as the pressure at the eye of the storm drops, there is a corresponding increase in wind speeds around the storm's center. This drop in pressure can lead to torrential rainfall and high-speed winds, often causing severe weather conditions and potentially significant damage.
To illustrate, when normal pressure near the seacoast in the northeastern United States is around 30.0 inches of mercury (in. Hg), it may fall to near 28.0 in. Hg during a hurricane. The drop in pressure would be 2.0 in. Hg, which can be converted to torr (1 in. Hg = 25.4 torr), resulting in a drop of approximately 50.8 torr. This significant change in pressure gradient can enhance the wind speeds and contribute to the storm's destructive potential.