A method comprising: determining a first fluid pressure gradient between a first external pressure sensor and a first internal pressure sensor, wherein the first external pressure sensor is disposed on a drill string so as to measure a first external pressure within an annulus between the drill string and a wellbore, wherein the first internal pressure sensor is disposed on the drill string so as to measure a first internal pressure within the drill string, and wherein the first external pressure sensor is disposed between the first internal pressure sensor and a bottom of the wellbore; pumping a fluid through the drill string into the annulus so as to move any cuttings in the annulus above the first external pressure sensor, so that the first external pressure decreases in response of the fluid being pumped; calculating a wellbore pressure at the bottom of the wellbore using the first fluid pressure gradient; calculating a second fluid pressure gradient between the first external pressure sensor, a second external pressure sensor, and a third external pressure sensor, wherein the second external pressure sensor and the third external pressure sensor are disposed on the drill string so as to measure pressure in the annulus, and wherein the second external pressure sensor is disposed between the first external pressure sensor and the third external pressure sensor; monitoring the second fluid pressure gradient to determine a location of the cuttings in the annulus; and circulating a fluid through the annulus upon the determined location indicating that the cuttings are nearing the bottom of the wellbore. determining a first fluid pressure gradient between a first external pressure sensor and a first internal pressure sensor, wherein the first external pressure sensor is disposed on a drill string so as to measure a first external pressure within an annulus between the drill string and a wellbore, wherein the first internal pressure sensor is disposed on the drill string so as to measure a first internal pressure within the drill string, and wherein the first external pressure sensor is disposed between the first internal pressure sensor and a bottom of the wellbore; pumping a fluid through the drill string into the annulus so as to move any cuttings in the annulus above the first external pressure sensor, so that the first external pressure decreases in response of the fluid being pumped; calculating a wellbore pressure at the bottom of the wellbore using the first fluid pressure gradient; calculating a second fluid pressure gradient between the first external pressure sensor, a second external pressure sensor, and a third external pressure sensor, wherein the second external pressure sensor and the third external pressure sensor are disposed on the drill string so as to measure pressure in the annulus, and wherein the second external pressure sensor is disposed between the first external pressure sensor and the third external pressure sensor; monitoring the second fluid pressure gradient to determine a location of the cuttings in the annulus; and circulating a fluid through the annulus upon the determined location indicating that the cuttings are nearing the bottom of the wellbore.