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 . <EOS>