from the first two minutes of s1e1, we are told "winter is coming". during the elaborate world-building we learn that winters last many years, even entire lifetimes... but the upcoming winter is predicted by serious scholars to be the most perilous ever.

Everything that happens in the show, from the political catastrophes to the paranormal threats, happens in the context of the winter's approach.

Then, at the very end, the North gets about 6 inches of snow and the south gets a rare flurry which melts before it hits the streets.

About a week later, a little sprout pushes through and -- TA-DAA FAGGOTS -- Spring is already here.

lmao

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5709268&forum_id=2#49350563)