The harsh thermal environment in gas turbines, including elevated temperatures and high heat fluxes, induces significant thermal gradients in ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), which are used to protect metallic components. However, the thermal conductivity of plasma-sprayed TBC increases with exposure at high temperatures mainly due to sintering phenomena and possible phase transformation, resulting in coating performance degradation and potential thermal runaway issues. An analytical thermal model and experimentally obtained coating thermal conductivity data are used to determine the coating through-thickness temperature profile and effective thermal conductivity under gradient conditions at high temperatures. High heat flux tests are then performed on TBCs to evaluate coating thermal behavior under temperature gradients close to service conditions. Coating internal temperature during the tests was also measured by thermally sprayed embedded thermocouples within the top coat. This combined approach provides a sintering map with a new model and allows for the assessment of temperature-gradient effects on the thermal performance of plasma-sprayed TBCs.