A B S T R A C T High-latitude sea breezes and the related daytime calm zones were studied through fine-scale two-dimensional idealized simulations by varying the direction and speed of the ambient large-scale geostrophic flow in small steps. Strongest coastal afternoon breezes were obtained for moderate large-scale flows 45 • -90 • left from the pure offshore direction (as seen from the sea), while calm zones appeared near the coast for weak to moderate large-scale flows about 30 • -90 • right

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... rom offshore, and at the seaward edge of the breeze cell for weak ambient flows 45 • -90 • right from offshore. The complex daytime evolution of the wind field for ambient winds roughly opposing the sea breeze is illustrated via a few key cases.