A portable communication system (100) comprises a portable radio (102) and a radio accessory (106) coupled through an interface cable (108). The interface cable (108) provides an electronic interface for remote access to radio functions at the radio accessory (106). The interface cable (108) further provides a temperature sensor (110) integrated therein for monitoring environmental conditions external to the portable communication system. The portable communication system (100) generates user notifications indicating extreme temperature conditions. Notifications of extreme temperature conditions may also transmitted from the portable communication system (100) to other radios, such as a land mobile radio (120), dispatch center (130), or other radio (140) operating within a communications network.