A monitoring seal system (200) comprises a seal housing (202), a seal assembly (210), a temperature sensor (212) and a controller. The seal assembly sealingly engages a rotary shaft (208) to prevent fluid leakage between the shaft and the housing. The seal assembly has at least one seal. The seal has a primary ring (228) and a mating ring (226). The temperature sensor senses the temperature in the vicinity of the seal. The controller determines whether an upset condition has occured based on at least the temperature in the vicinity of the seal.