Precipitation variability in Brazil was investigated using reanalysis data from the Global Historical Climatology Network-Monthly, version 3.01, within 1920-2010, provided freely by the University of Delaware. The analysis of space-temporal pattern was conducted using principal component analysis (PCA) in temporal and spatial modes. It also intends to contribute with the literature that characterizes the patterns of spatiotemporal distribution of precipitation in Brazil. Temporal grouping allowed the identification of five spatial models that represents the spatial distribution of the precipitation, explained variance of 38%. Spatial grouping mode zoned through six temporal models of the areas with partially homogeneous precipitation, explained variance of 22.69%. In equatorial latitudes, the models identified Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) latitudinal and temporal variability in North and South Hemispheres. In tropical latitudes, the models evidenced anomalous precipitation due to South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) and South America Monsoon System. In subtropical latitudes, rainfall spatial anomalous patterns were associated to the di-pole pattern between tropical and subtropical latitudes, which shows the influence of the climatic variability modes, especially El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Therefore, it was diagnosed that the anomalies of the atmospheric mechanisms that occur seasonally, such as SACZ and ITCZ, are the ones that cause the higher frequency in the percentage of rainfall variance, which might be explained by the frequency of the occurrence. However, remote factors, such as the occurrence in different temporal scales, interannual and interdecennial, were represented in different spatial and temporal models, as the events of variability modes vary spatially, seasonally and in intensity. It is important to highlight that the modes of climatic variability may influence the atmospheric mechanisms identified in this study, nevertheless, their impact were not evidenced in the space-temporal scales analysed. The results are relevant to understand the space-temporal variability of rainfall over Brazil.