A potentially record-breaking heat wave is expected to encroach upon most of Texas, Louisiana, and parts of Florida through the weekend, with a heat index of up to 120 degrees possible in some areas.

More than 33 million people were placed under heat advisories by the National Weather Service on Thursday, some of which are scheduled to remain in effect through Friday night.

"It wouldn't be an active summer weather pattern without oppressive heat," the Service noted, adding, "much of Texas and the Deep South will have plenty."

NEAR-100 MPH WINDS, POSSIBLE TORNADOES, RAVAGE SOUTH; VEHICLES 'BLOWN OFF' TEXAS HIGHWAY

Temperatures in southern Texas were gauged at well over 100 degrees by noon Thursday, with Houston reporting a 111-degree heat index, while the nearby Gulf Coast city of Galveston clocked in at 108 degrees.

Houston and Texas' other urban centers are anticipated to bear the brunt of the heat, with index readings anticipated to hit 115 degrees in the coming days. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is expected to see concurrent readings between 105 and 112 degrees. Readings as high as 120 degrees may also be reported along the Gulf Coast.

NORTHEAST FACING WET WEATHER, BELOW AVERAGE TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK

As temperatures rise, a significant spike in energy demand is likely to ensue. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages 90 percent of the Lone Star State's electrical grid, expects supply to satisfy demand and dismissed concerns of a potential "energy emergency."

Meanwhile, New Orleans reported a morning heat index of 96 degrees on Thursday, with the city's National Weather Service branch quipping, "Dat's some bayou weather right there," in a nod to the Big Easy's local dialect.

In parts of southern Florida, including Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, triple-digit temperatures were also reported, with officials warning residents against leaving children and animals outside unattended.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Warning: This story contains graphic content.

A New Hampshire woman whose father's remains were allegedly trafficked by a disgraced Harvard Medical School morgue manager has spoken out, calling the crimes "unthinkable."

Paula Peltonovich's father Nicholas Pichowicz wrote in his will that he wanted his remains donated to Harvard's medical school. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 87.

Peltonovich explained that she contacted Harvard as soon as she heard that several people had been indicted for stealing and selling body parts from the school's morgue.

"We were just disgusted," Peltonovich told the Boston Globe on Thursday. "Sick, like we were going to throw up."

HARVARD ESTABLISHES FACULTY-LED 'COUNCIL ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM' FOCUSED ON FREE SPEECH

Peltonovich told the outlet that Harvard confirmed her father "was a victim" of the trafficking scheme.

"It’s just unthinkable. There’s no words," the distraught daughter added. She said she was unable to get more information because of the pending legal matters.

Former Harvard Medical School morgue manager Cedric Lodge was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday, along with alleged complices Katrina Maclean, Joshua Taylor and Jeremy Pauley. His wife Denise Lodge was also indicted for her suspected role in the trafficking.

Authorities believe Lodge stole organs and other parts of donated cadavers before they were to be cremated. He allegedly took some of the remains to his New Hampshire home between 2018 and 2022.

The Globe reported that Lodge was fired on May 6. According to the indictment, which was obtained by Fox News Digital, many of the body parts were reportedly shipped to buyers through the U.S. Postal Service.

"At times [Lodge] stole dissected portions of donated cadavers, including, for example, heads, brains, skin, bones, and other human remains," the indictment said.

ALLEGED BOSTON RAPE VICTIM FEARS SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO ‘COULD GET AWAY’ AFTER RELEASE ON BAIL

In one disturbing instance, authorities said Lodge sold two "dissected faces" to Salem-based Maclean for $600.

Harvard Medical School (HMS) issued a statement addressing the incident titled "An abhorrent betrayal."

"We are so very sorry for the pain this news will cause for our anatomical donors’ families and loved ones, and HMS pledges to engage with them during this deeply distressing time," the statement read.

The body of Peltonovich's mother was also donated to Harvard Medical School in March, according to the Globe. Peltonovich said her family is now working to get her mother's body back from Harvard, if possible.

"We want her returned, so we can bury her," she said. "We don’t even want them to cremate her."